Reacting to Walker Kessler's wild NBA 2K26 Rating

With the 2025-26 season approaching, we're getting more NBA 2K ratings coming out. First, the Utah Jazz got pretty good news on Ace Bailey's 2K rating, and now they got some good news on Walker Kessler. While Kessler's overall rating hasn't come out yet, 2K rated him as the fourth-best shot-blocker in the NBA. Not only was he among the best of the best, but he was ranked over Rudy Gobert!

When NBA 2K released its ratings for NBA 2K 2026, Kessler tied for fourth with Donovan Clingan, with only Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, and Robert Williams III ahead of him.

Kessler has played well enough that an extension feels inevitable. That's because he looked like he took a legitimate step forward on both sides of the floor. However, as a shot blocker, the results speak for themselves, as he ranked second in blocks per game behind only Wembanyama, per NBA.com.

To be fair, that is more than Gobert, who averaged 1.4 blocks last season. That doesn't mean Kessler is better than Gobert in that regard, but it goes to show how much better things look for him now compared to last year, where there was legitimate doubt about what his future holds.

This time last year, Kessler came off a season so disappointing that he was in trade rumors all summer long. When he had his resurgent season, the trade rumors persisted, even though it was pretty clear the Jazz didn't really entertain it to begin with. They haven't really resurfaced, and a lot of it is because plenty of faith has been restored in Kessler.

It's also cool to see that 2K isn't holding the Jazz's poor defense against Kessler. Many would look at how bad Utah was on that side of the floor this past season (119.4 defensive rating, which was worst in the NBA) and hold it against him.

But knowing how bad they were and how respected Kessler is, there is a problem they have to confront.

It's on the Jazz to build a better defense around Kessler

Kessler should be on the Jazz long-term. While it's good to know that they will have their rim protector going forward, Utah needs better defenders around him. It's possible some of the youngsters they have on their roster now will blossom into quality defenders down the line.

This upcoming season will be about throwing just about everything against the wall and seeing what sticks. What will help some of these young players stick around with the Jazz is seeing if they can become a positive on that end of the floor.

Kessler has proven how excellent he can be as an overall defender, but it takes more than just one. Ironically, the Jazz know from the Gobert era how important it is to surround an elite rim protector with quality defenders by his side. Utah has time, but for them to form their next playoff team, it goes without saying that they need more than just Kessler on defense to return to the postseason.