It'd be understandable for anyone to have concerns about what the future holds between Walker Kessler and the Utah Jazz. He didn't go into it, but he made it clear he wasn't exactly happy to come away from the offseason without an extension.
So, he will enter restricted free agency this coming summer. It might be a little scary because the Washington Wizards plan to pursue him. However, anyone who's worried about what the Wizards could do should worry no more, as NBA Insider Marc Stein reported that Utah's not intimidated by what any suitor could offer for Kessler.
"Utah is confident in its ability to retain restricted free agent-to-be Walker Kessler, league sources say," Stein wrote. "The Wizards are said to be planning an offseason run at Kessler to play on Washington's frontline alongside Alex Sarr. Utah, of course, would be able to match any offer sheet Kessler signs as a restricted free agent."
The Jazz didn't re-sign Kessler because they have the rare opportunity to both re-sign him and sign a big-name free agent this summer. If they re-signed Kessler this past offseason, that would have taken them out of the running for a free agent. Getting to have their cake and eat it is a rare opportunity they knew they mustn't pass up.
The question is what Kessler gets paid & if someone forces Utah's hand
Even though Utah's plans are to keep Kessler, doing this also opens the door for competitors to offer him a price that could make the Jazz uncomfortable. Granted, from what Stein reports, their mindset is bring it on.
Kessler might be restricted, but this isn't the same situation as the ones we saw with Jonathan Kuminga and Quentin Grimes last summer. Kessler has proven how good and effective he is as a ballplayer, which is something neither Kuminga nor Grimes had proven before their restricted free agency fiascos.
Washington will probably be willing to make Utah pay up to keep Kessler. Like the Jazz, they too plan to turn around their fortunes next season. Until further notice, the Jazz won't be deterred by that prospect. His rim protection and rebounding are too valuable for the Jazz to risk letting him walk, even if it will cost them a fortune to keep him around.
The one sad part in all of this is that even with all this intel, nothing is set in stone until it's, well, set in stone. However, even if there are rumors swirling about regarding Kessler's market, you can always circle back to Stein's report as a comfort.