Something free agents do to try to get the biggest deal possible is by comparing themselves to other players. Don't be surprised if Walker Kessler is doing the same with the Utah Jazz. Kessler appears not to be backing down after the Jazz's reported five-year, $137.5 million extension offer. Well, unfortunately for him, Isaiah Hartenstein's new deal plays to the Jazz's favor.
ESPN's Shams Charania revealed that Hartenstein's new deal with Oklahoma City will bring his total earnings with OKC to $134 million overall over five years, which is almost to the penny the exact same amount of money Utah is offering Kessler to stick around.
Just in: Oklahoma City's Isaiah Hartenstein intends to sign a new three-year contract to return to the Thunder through 2028-29 that brings his total earnings with the franchise at five years and $134 million guaranteed, sources tell ESPN. A key signing in 2024 leading to the 2025… pic.twitter.com/i5mVUaFI15
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2026
Hartenstein and Kessler are not the same player, but they have similar impacts on the floor. Hartenstein is one of those players whose impact doesn't get the justice it deserves in the box score. Kessler is somewhat of a different story, but the two are game-changers on playoff contenders.
But there's a reason why the Thunder traded two valuable players (Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe) to keep him: he changes their outlook by himself, even if he's not a star. That's precisely what Kessler is for Utah. He might not be a star, but very much a valued cog for what he brings.
It's why the Jazz aren't messing around with this one. They've already given him a good offer. He's entitled to believe that he's worth more, but even after losing as much leverage as he has, he should look at how OKC has valued Hartenstein and think about how Utah has virtually done the same with him, even if they haven't followed the same path.
Walker Kessler has the chance to be Utah's Isaiah Hartenstein
The one difference between Kessler and Hartenstein is that the former has never played for a good team in his NBA career. That should change this coming season, but if and when he gets his chance to play this role for Utah, he will more or less be their Hartenstein.
He doesn't have to do the same things Hartenstein does, but he won't have to because he brings his own unique skillset. The Jazz will greatly benefit from the rim protection and rebounding he provides. Kessler is one of the few skilled bigs who should serve to benefit the Jazz's best players when they are on the floor.
It's why the Jazz aren't waiting until someone signs him to an offer sheet to give him a raise. Regardless of how this situation resolves in the end, if and when Kessler has his Hartenstein-like impact for the Jazz, it will reinforce why they made sure to pay what they could to keep him.
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