Walker Kessler's restricted free agency is an elephant in the room that the Utah Jazz will confront this summer. Per intel, it could get ugly between the two sides as they apparent differ greatly on the price tag of his next deal.
Kessler wants the most money possible, while the Jazz want to keep him at an affordable price. What works in Utah's favor is that some of Kessler's interested suitors this summer have more or less taken themselves out of the running, like Washington (trading for Anthony Davis) and Indiana (trading for Ivica Zubac).
That gives the Jazz leverage, but what could work in Kessler's favor is not just what he brings to the table on a nighly basis, but one particular stat makes him look even more indispensable: his defense on Nikola Jokic.
Stat Defender revealed that Kessler has been the best individual defender against Jokic, since 2020-21 who is considered the league's best player, and even if there are some who disagree, he is the league's best pure five.
Players Who Had The Most Success Guarding Nikola Jokic Since The 2020-21 NBA Season (Min. 300 Total Possessions Guarded) :
— Stat Defender (@statdefender) February 6, 2026
1. Walker Kessler — 52.6 TS%
2. Chet Holmgren — 53.9 TS%
3. Karl-Anthony Towns — 54.3 TS%
4. Alperen Sengun — 55.7 TS%
5. Ivica Zubac — 56.6… https://t.co/qOGJSP4hOs pic.twitter.com/nKqtv0MqhO
The Jazz signaled through the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade that the plan is to compete next season, which means they are bound to cross paths with Jokic and the Nuggets on their way back to glory. It might not happen right away, but Utah's roster makeup is to be a title contender, so if that happens, Jokic may single-handedly stand in their way of a title more than anyone.
That's why Kessler is even more important to their long-term success.
Teams will pay up for a Joker stopper
It might be stretching it to insinuate that Kessler is someone who can stop Jokic, because if we're being honest, no one in the NBA really can. However, Kessler is the closest player to a Jokic stopper, and because that's also a rare commodity, teams will and should want that even if they'll be at a disadvantage with his restricted free agency.
Kessler believes he's worth All-Star-type money. He may never make an All-Star team, but he has the impact of one, and to know that he is enough of a difference maker to tip the scales in a series against the powerhouse Nuggets might be enough for him to get what he wants. The Jazz might not be comfortable paying that price, but this is the Joker we're talking about here.
Because of that, Kessler is basically Batman, making him not the center Utah needs, but the one they deserve... Actually, no, that quote doesn't work in this context. Because he's as close as it gets to a Jokic stopper, Kessler is the center Utah absolutely needs more than it deserves, but after all the hardship they've gone through, it's fair to say they deserve him too, just as he deserves the raise he wants.