Walker Kessler, Jazz end extension talks, making him a restricted free agent in 2026

LockoutSeason · Post #1 » by **LockoutSeason** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 3:45 pm

Led the league in offensive rebounds and is the 2nd best shot blocker in the league behind Wemby.

He will be a star when he finally gets to a real team.

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pipfan · Post #2 » by **pipfan** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 4:08 pm

Would LOVE for my Bulls to get him. I wanted him over DTerry a few years back-huge mistake (and one of the few times I was right in a draft)

Post #3 » by **jbk1234** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 4:15 pm

I mean he's going to be a RFA.

Manimal · Post #4 » by **Manimal** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 4:17 pm

Not extending right now isn't the same thing as deciding not to re-sign him. He'll be a RFA, and the chance the Jazz just let him walk in free agency is basically zero.

JShuttlesworth · Post #5 » by **JShuttlesworth** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 4:18 pm

I'm going to assume he re-signs with the Jazz in the summer

Post #6 » by **Duffman100** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 4:23 pm

A star?

Post #7 » by **Mavrelous** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 4:25 pm

Won't extend and won't re-sign are different things.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #8 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 4:32 pm

Duffman100 wrote:A star?

There are billions of stars in the universe, Walker Kessler is one of them.

Post #9 » by **Duffman100** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 4:34 pm

ReggiesKnicks wrote:
Duffman100 wrote:A star?

There are billions of stars in the universe, Walker Kessler is one of them.

Yea I see him as a Zubac type player. Good to have... I don't know if I see star with his skillset.

But i've been wrong before!

levon · Post #10 » by **levon** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 4:37 pm

I think some team is going to throw a lot of money at him and the Jazz know this. I expect them to explore trades at the deadline.

Liam_Gallagher · Post #11 » by **Liam_Gallagher** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 5:02 pm

Who's better, Kessler or Ayton?

QMemphis · Post #12 » by **QMemphis** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 5:07 pm

Walker and Lauri probably both get traded this season.

ATLTimekeeper · Post #13 » by **ATLTimekeeper** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 5:10 pm

Hard to come to terms when you insist a king's ransom in trade talks and then lowball in contract negotiations.

Wolveswin · Post #14 » by **Wolveswin** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 5:20 pm

To Hawks: Gobert/DDV
=More D at rim, more shooting, and NAW can backfill Daniels.

To Jazz: Dilly

To Wolves: Porzingis/Kessler/Daniels
=Really balances Wolves lineup. Kessler is insurance for Porzingis health concerns and battle Beringer as COF in MN.
Porzingis/Kessler/Beringer
Randle/Reid
McDaniels/Edwards
Edwards/TSJ/Daniels
Daniels/Conley/Bones

ReggiesKnicks · Post #15 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 5:26 pm

Duffman100 wrote:
ReggiesKnicks wrote:
Duffman100 wrote:A star?

There are billions of stars in the universe, Walker Kessler is one of them.

Yea I see him as a Zubac type player. Good to have... I don't know if I see star with his skillset.

But i've been wrong before!

Yeah, but Zubac is proving to be leading the pack of the non-star centers. That's a player worth a couple of 1sts, easily.

SlimShady83 · Post #16 » by **SlimShady83** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 5:30 pm

I can't wait to see what happens

Black Jack · Post #17 » by **Black Jack** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 5:41 pm

My starting bid is 12 first round picks, hopefully the Jazz FO will consider such a measly sum for the goat Kessler

Bad Bart · Post #18 » by **Bad Bart** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 5:41 pm

Liam_Gallagher wrote:Who's better, Kessler or Ayton?

Kessler in my opinion is worlds better than Ayton, especially in the ways that are important for a center.

Post #19 » by **Doctor MJ** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 7:29 pm

jbk1234 wrote:I mean he's going to be a RFA.

Were I Kessler, unless things turn around right quick, I'd be trying to get the hell away from Ainge at this point. His development was essentially put on hold for years so the Jazz keep losing their shirt on the lottery slot machine, and now they're playing hardball on his salary. I'd be pissed.

Mind you, I'm not saying I'd feel confident giving Kessler a max myself, but the Jazz should expect that basically all the players they have right now resent the organization.

Post #20 » by **Doctor MJ** » Fri Sep 26, 2025 7:31 pm

Duffman100 wrote:
ReggiesKnicks wrote:
Duffman100 wrote:A star?

There are billions of stars in the universe, Walker Kessler is one of them.

Yea I see him as a Zubac type player. Good to have... I don't know if I see star with his skillset.

But i've been wrong before!

Prior to a year ago I'd see that as underrating Kessler, but now I see it as underrating Zubac, who absolutely should have been an all-star last year over all other Clippers.