With his third NBA season with the Utah Jazz in the books, Walker Kessler is extension-eligible this offseason. After his performance, Kessler has restored hope that he will be an important part of the Jazz's future. However, even though he bounced back, the best way to approach his future with the Jazz may be to hold off until next season.
Now, before anyone thinks this is a Gordon Hayward situation, Sam Vecenie explained how Utah should go about approaching Kessler's free agency.
"He will have a low cap hold in 2026. That means that if I'm Utah, it probably has to be a pretty advantageous deal for me. Otherwise, I just might want to keep my flexibility next summer," Vecenie said (21:06 mark).
The Philadelphia 76ers did exactly this with Tyrese Maxey last year. They didn't extend him after his third season in 2023, but gladly paid him all that he wanted the following summer. They did this to technically still have cap room to sign Paul George. Laugh if you will, as we all saw how that turned out, but it is a smart strategy because it gives Utah options like it did for Philly.
Kessler's not Maxey, obviously—apples and oranges—but he is still a valuable player enough that the Jazz should go this route while making it clear he's the future no matter what. This option truly is the epitome of having your cake and eating it. As long as both sides come up with a figure they can agree on in 2026, there's no reason for Utah and Kessler not to take it.
It's not a reflection of Kessler at all regarding how he played or his future in Utah. In fact, letting the potential Kessler extension roll into next year could help in his case with the negotiations, as the Jazz may forget about Steven Adams' team-friendly extension he just signed with the Houston Rockets.
The Jazz currently project to have so much cap flexibility next season
As the Jazz's roster currently stands, John Collins (should he opt in for next season), Collin Sexton, and Jordan Clarkson will all be off the books in 2026. That is, of course, assuming that they will be on the roster for the entirety of next season, or even the start of it for that matter.
Combined, the three of them will make almost $60 million, and the only long-term, eight-figure contract on the books past then will be Lauri Markkanen. Utah might not necessarily be a free agency hot spot, but giving themselves more options next year is the smart move.
One potential downside will be how many Kessler rumors will emerge between now and then - since the Lakers want him, his name will come up as it has for a year now give or take - but the Jazz have made it very clear that it would take a King's ransom to pry Kessler away from them.
The Jazz waiting to resolve Kessler's contract situation until next year might not sit right with fans because doing so has backfired on them. As long as Utah plays their cards right, this time it shouldn't.