The Utah Jazz will have to give Walker Kessler a massive extension to keep him, and the Bucks just set the market with Myles Turner's contract. John Hollinger noted his BORD$ projection (subscription required) puts Kessler’s value at $27.2 million, which is exactly the average annual value Turner just got in free agency. Kessler is a starting center and stout rim protector. The Jazz must give him a bag to keep him in Salt Lake City.
Utah has until Oct. 20 to work out an extension. If no deal is made, the 24-year-old big man becomes a restricted free agent next summer. The Jazz may opt to wait on a new contract to use his low cap hold to improve their roster. Philadelphia did this with Tyrese Maxey, but it takes buy-in from the player.
That could backfire for the Jazz. They are going to have to pay Kessler more than $100 million to keep him, but that price could go up if another starting center raises the market. Either way, Utah is giving out more than $25 million per year to Kessler, and they have the Bucks to thank.
Bucks screwed the Jazz in Walker Kessler extension talks
The Pacers weren’t willing to give Turner more than $20 million per season, so he found the money on the open market. This was a shocking move by Milwaukee. They were forced to waive-and-stretch Damian Lillard to make the deal, which only added more surprise. Impact centers are not easy to find, and some team is always willing to pay to acquire one.
The Jazz are in the early stages of a total rebuild and have a mountain of potential cap space next summer. They have to decide if Kessler is their starting center for the present and future. The 24-year-old’s impact is unquestionable, but he will quickly get expensive. Is Utah willing to pay if they are still years away from contention?
The Jazz are no strangers to disastrous moves, and this could be one fans regret for years to come. Kessler is an elite shot-blocker and rebounder, but must keep improving to be the defensive anchor of a serious contender. The contract will be there, but his franchise needs the production. There is certainly a risk if the Jazz pay the rate.
The Milwaukee Bucks were in desperation mode this offseason. They had to improve their roster to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy, so the franchise signed Myles Turner. It set the market for starting centers, and Kessler will certainly ask for a similar deal.
The Jazz will have to pay now or when he reaches restricted free agency next summer. Either way, Kessler is about to get a lot more expensive, and the Bucks deserve some blame for setting the precedent.
The Utah Jazz are still searching for their foundational pieces of the next contending roster. Ace Bailey feels like a monumental add, but the franchise must decide if Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler are part of that group. The Bucks set the market. Now, Utah must decide if it is too much to keep their starting center. Jazz fans will be cursing Milwaukee either way.