The price for Walker Kessler is

[Daddy 801]

Spoiler:

"B4 we got Luka" we wanted both Sexton and/or Collins in a Kessler packaged deal, with Ainge wanting Multiple firsts for Kessler a deal never progressed sadly. Many talks at least from what I was reading online (google it lol) were being made between the two teams, a reason why so many rumors going around what not.

After Luka, most if not all Laker fans still wanted Collins and/or Kessler or both again, sadly nothing happend and now we got Ayton, I don't see us/Lakers making offers for Kessler, Fans Yes, Team No.

Doubt Lakers willing to trade it all for Kessler now, but who knows anything can happen, I don't see Ainge willing to pay Kesslers next contract and expect him to trade both Lauri/Kessler when the time comes to it, again just stuff i've been reading and watching on youtube lols.

A line up of; Kessler/Ayton/Bron/Reaves/Luka ... Would be interesting

Have Kessler down below, Ayton mid to high post and other 3 around the 3 point line

I expect Ainge will sign Kessler to a long term deal. They are probably off on value right now and Ainge is telling him to go prove himself for the first part of the season so they can see if he is worth paying 25 million that I assume Kessler camp is asking for over the 18-20 that the Jazz are probably offering right now. My numbers may be off a little, but that’s what I assume is roughly what is happening at the moment. Utah is in no rush to sign Kessler long term yet.

With the Jazz prioritizing cap space in 2026, they may hold off on an extension simply because his cap hold is relatively small next offseason.

That’s what I think the holdup is. With the trade exception they received and the cap space they have it’s in their best interest to wait until after the trade deadline to see if they can utilize both to their full potential and then sign Kessler. I assume they basically told Kessler if you want security and your extension now it’s X amount (say 17-20 million) and if you want a bigger deal (say 20-25 a year) you will have to wait. If Kessler is holding out for more Utah has no reason to sign him yet. Maybe he is traded with the exception to some other team and a bad contract for X amount of picks or whatever. Who knows what will happen, but it creates a ton more of flexibility to wait.

[Inigo Montoya]

Wouldn't it be better to reach a deal now when there aren't a lot of teams with cap space? Next offseason there will be plenty. Looks like some players could get lesser deals right now than what they could get a year from now. Imho $25M per season for Kessler is reasonable. If that's what he's looking for, I'd give it to him.