Ever since the Utah Jazz began their staring contest with Walker Kessler, he's been losing quite a bit of leverage. One of his hypothetical suitors - the Chicago Bulls - pretty much dropped out of the race. Then, there's been a recent rumor swapping LeBron James for Jarrett Allen, which would take out the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, Mark Williams' newest deal did Kessler no favors.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Williams re-signed with Phoenix on a three-year deal worth $38 million.
Restricted free agent Mark Williams intends to sign a three-year, $38 million contract to return to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. The deal is fully guaranteed for Williams, who averaged 11 points, 8 rebounds and 1 block in 23.6 minutes per game as the Suns starting center. pic.twitter.com/3hpQ9KlZNi
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2026
Now before anyone gets any ideas, no, Williams is not better than Kessler. Let's not be ridiculous here. However, the term that comes to mind in response to this deal has more or less been "fair value."
Williams is a solid rotation center, whereas Kessler is an excellent one, even if he isn't a star. At least not yet, for that reason, Kessler getting an extension where he would make a little more than twice what Williams makes on a per-year basis - which is what the Jazz are offering - further emphasizes that what Utah has put on the table for Kessler fits the criteria of "fair value."
Now, Williams wasn't getting paid by Phoenix as much as Utah would like to pay Kessler. No way, no how. However, if the Suns had offered Williams around $20 million per-year, that could have worked in the Jazz center's favor.
How much longer is Kessler willing to let this play out?
Kessler is welcome to play this game of chicken with Utah all summer if he would like to. The reported offer still stands at five years, $137.5 million (until we find out otherwise). It's very possible he may not dispute how much he would get on a per-year basis, but may try to see if he can shorten the deal to give him the chance to make more.
Either way, it's really looking like he won't be able to raise their offer unless someone out there forces their hand. As we've explained, it's becoming less and less likely for that to happen. Then again, we saw the LaMelo Ball drama spring up out of nowhere then resolve itself all in like half a day, so craxier things have happened.
If anything, as long as Utah doesn't come down on their price tag, Kessler could wait to see what happens with some of the other free agent big men, like Jalen Duren, Mitchell Robinson, Robert Williams III, and Kristaps Porzingis.
But when you look at that group, it's hard to see how they will help his case this summer. If Williams didn't, it's hard to see how they will...
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