New NBA Rumors Reveal Walker Kessler, Jazz 'At Odds' Over Contract, Restricted Free Agency Situation

One of the major priorities this summer for the Utah Jazz will be retaining restricted free agent center Walker Kessler.

Apparently, that process isn't off to the best start.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Kessler "is at odds with the front office over his lack of an extension offer last summer and the current handling of his restricted free agency."

The 24-year-old appeared in just five games in the 2025-26 season after suffering a left labral tear in November, averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, three assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals.

For his career, Kessler is averaging 9.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game in four seasons, providing a solid defensive foundation for the Jazz. He's part of an intriguing core that also includes Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Cody Williams and whoever the team utlimately selects with the No. 2 overall pick.

The frontrunner for that selection is ostensibly Darryn Peterson, though the former Kansas star reportedly will only work out for the Washington Wizards, snubbing the Jazz:

It remains to be seen which direction the Jazz will go with that selection, though either Peterson or AJ Dybantsa would be a more natural fit than Cam Boozer, given the amount of bigs Utah already has on the roster.

Either way, Kessler figures to remain an important part of the team's plans, with The Athletic's Dan Woike reporting the expectation around the NBA is that the Jazz would match any offer sheet he receives.

But if Kessler isn't happy with the Jazz, that could complicate the process. And given the amount of teams around the NBA that would surely have interest in adding a player like Kessler, you can file this one under "intriguing subplots worth monitoring."