Many are looking forward to Walker Kessler's return to the Utah Jazz next season, but all indications are that neither side will make it easy for the other in extension talks this summer. The Jazz obviously want to make Kessler's contract as team-friendly as possible, but what many don't know is that they are doing so for another reason beyond Kessler himself: Keyonte George.
Kessler has definitely earned himself a significant pay raise this offseason, even after his season ended early. However, all indications have been that he and the Jazz are far apart on what his next deal should look like. Because Kessler is not an easily replaceable player, Utah's main priority should be to get a deal done, but they also have to think about Keyonte George's next deal.
George has reached a new level this season to the point that he's getting props from the likes of Steve Nash, of all people. He won't be a restricted free agent this summer, but will be extension-eligible. Given how he's turned himself into one of the league's blossoming young stars, it's also in Utah's best interest to ensure he's with the team long-term.
Both Kessler and George should heavily factor into Utah's future in their own ways, as Kessler will make their defense more formidable while George makes their offense more dynamic. Keeping them is the obvious move, but both are justified in believing their services should come at a high price. George's next deal will factor into Kessler's next deal, even if the latter will get the raise first.
Making this problem even harder is that Utah has invested heavily in some of their players already.
Utah has a lot of money tied to Lauri Markkanen & Jaren Jackson Jr.
Next season, Markkanen and JJJ will account for over $95 million of the Jazz's payroll combined. George will only account for a little more than $6.5 million in the last year of his rookie deal, but it's fair to suggest he'll get paid more than that in due time.
Kessler's looking for the big bucks, and George has every reason to believe he's worth the same as Kessler, if not more. Utah's future starting next season should be very exciting, but because of what they owe their two most important players, paying them both what they are worth won't be such a straightforward process.
The Jazz could wait until next summer to work out George's next deal, as restricted free agency, but teams may be in more demand for someone like George than they would be for Kessler, whose market took a significant hit after the NBA Trade Deadline.
Professional sports are structured so that teams at the top can't stay there. That is especially true in the NBA, with both the luxury tax and the tax aprons at play. In less than a year's time, it's crazy to think that the Jazz went from a team with not nearly enough talent to suddenly one with an overabundance of it, which could be a problem as soon as a few months from now.
Even if it will likely be tricky, the Jazz want to put themselves in a position to have both Kessler and George in the long term. Can you blame them?