Walker Kessler's restricted free agency will be like a movie. There's going to be some drama, some twists and turns, and maybe there will be something that no one saw coming, but it will all end in a predictable fashion: with Kessler back in a Jazz uniform.
Still though, he's bound to have some suitors this summer anyway. Even though Kessler's market took a hit because of the trade deadline, there will still be teams that want him because they need a center, and he's among the best available.
There aren't that many teams that have cap space, but that doesn't mean there aren't threats out there. Here are three teams, ranking from three to one in terms of least threatening to most threatening.
3. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are coming off a semi-promising season with old friend Quin Snyder at the helm. True, they got ousted in the first round, but at the same time, they gave the New York Knicks a better fight than anyone else in the East did. For that reason, they may strike while the iron is... lukewarm.
In fact, their downfall was their frontcourt. The Knicks simply had too much size for the Hawks to handle. That stemmed from Kristaps Porzingis' departure, but his constrant absences were getting in their way regardless.
They have the ammunition to go after Kessler this summer, and there's a solid case from Soaring Down South's Zach Langley that Atlanta could steal him if they play their cards right. It would take some tweaking on their end, but the Jazz definitely shouldn't disregard them.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are here because they are the Lakers, who have the tendency to pull the most miraculous rabbit out of a hat. They've done it so many times that because of their "reputation," they should absolutely be taken seriously.
Besides, they have cap room, have yet to adequately replace Anthony Davis since the Luka Doncic trade, and he'd fit snugly with Luka Doncic's timeline. Not to mention, if the Jazz want Austin Reaves, maybe the Lakers would let them get their guy if Kessler was the return package.
They will have a ton of cap space anyway, and have pressing needs to address, like how much they want to pay Reaves and whether they want to keep moving forward with LeBron James. However, they can give Kessler a big enough offer sheet to make Utah uncomfortable.
And with their pressing needs at the big man spot, they'd be more than happy if the Jazz didn't match.
1. Chicago Bulls
What separates the Bulls from the Lakers and Hawks is that the latter two teams have solid big men. They just need either more depth or an upgrade. The Bulls don't need depth or upgrade. They need a big period.
Their frontcourt rotation was pretty much the most laughable in the NBA. At the end of the season, their best bigs were Jalen Smith and Zach Collins, both of whom are rotation bigs, not starters. Kessler immediately becomes their best big man.
With the No. 4 pick in the draft, it's anticipated that they will use it to strengthen their frontcourt with whoever is available between Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. But they have no reason to stop there.
They have a ton of cap room to pay a premium price on Kessler. There's no telling if they will do that, but they will also likely operate with the "use it or lose it" approach, and because they will need a big, don't be surprised if Kessler is who they turn to first.
Nothing about this changes the fact that Kessler should be on the Jazz's roster next season, but don't be surprised if one of these teams forces them to pay top dollar for him.
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