It's now been about 24 hours, give or take, since it was confirmed that Walker Kessler would miss the rest of the season. Because he was in a contract year and will be an unrestricted free agent, this could lead to a Jonathan Kuminga-like situation for Utah, which is something that no player or team wants to go through.
Kuminga and Golden State essentially engaged in an intense staring contest over the offseason. It was clear he didn't want to remain with the Warriors, just like it was clear that Golden State didn't really see him as a piece going forward. At the same time, the Warriors didn't want to lose him for nothing, so the two sides finally reached an agreement with very little time before the season started, making it feel like an arranged marriage with an expiration date.
No, the Jazz and the Kessler are not in the same situation as Kuminga and the Warriors were. Before the season started, it wasn't exactly clear what Kuminga's ceiling was as a player, though he has looked different this season (and in a good way). Kessler is a different story.
The Jazz know not just what he's good at, but also that what he's good at is among the best in the league. Better yet, before the injury, it seemed like he may have added floor spacing and playmaking to his repertoire. Him proving to be even more multifaceted not only could have gotten him a more expensive deal but perhaps even some All-Star recognition.
But Kessler's injury could lead to things playing out the way they did with Kuminga
There had already been hints that extension talks could be a little tense between Kessler and Utah before the injury even happened. He wasn't exactly too happy that the Jazz opted not to extend him this offseason, and he was in trade rumors for a time, even if that situation felt a little overblown (and so 2024).
Now that he's out for the year, the Jazz will probably hold the small sample size of his improved play against him in extension talks. Had this truly ill-timed injury never happened, it would have paved the way for him to drive up the price on his next deal, but because the sample size turned out to be very small, the Jazz can hold it over him that he didn't prove it over the course of a season.
That being said, the Jazz know that what Kessler has proven over the past three seasons that they definitely should offer more for Kessler than what the Warriors gave Kuminga. But because Kessler may think his improved skillset entitles him to more (which anyone in his shoes would think), this could make for an offseason saga that could be troublesome.
While it would be the most shocking news in franchise history if Kessler isn't a Jazzman next year, this could make for some tense negotiations in 2026.