Prepare yourself, Utah Jazz fans, because, despite all signs pointing to Walker Kessler sticking around, this upcoming free agency saga is sure to get ugly. The Athletic's Sam Amick basically confirmed as such when he reported Kessler's frustration with the team. Even so, nobody who's interested should believe this changes the final outcome.
Amick revealed that Kessler is understandably upset with the team for how they've handled his long-term place on the team dating back to last year.
Difficult day for the Jazz on the optics front: Here you have Darryn Peterson refusing to work out for the team with the No. 2 pick, one year after Ace Bailey did the same (when they had No. 5).
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 15, 2026
Meanwhile, sources tell @TheAthletic that a player who does want to be there - big…
That frustration is understandable. It's hard to remember, but Kessler bounced back in his third season after an uneven sophomore campaign, proving that he had more in his arsenal besides his rim protection. And even then, Utah opted not to extend him when they had the chance.
Granted, there's a strategy to that, as his free agency gives them wiggle room to pursue other players, but Kessler taking offense to that makes sense, as it leaves him hanging. Surely, teams will read into this and may even try to shoot their shot, but even then, this won't change that he'll be back with the team no matter the price.
The question is not if he'll stay, but for how long
It bears repeating because it's very much an objective fact: as a restricted free agent, the Jazz hold all the cards regarding Kessler. There are teams out there who could pay him, but what will hold them back is the indisputable fact that Utah will match any offer he gets.
It's also why it's hard not to think that he will return to the team on a team-friendly deal. Teams aren't very motivated to pay that much for someone who won't have a choice but to stay with his team. For the record, Kessler's frustration is completely understandable.
For that same reason, while a betting man would say that he'll be wearing a Jazz uniform, whether he stays on a long-term deal would be the question. If he's not budging from his price and forced to take less money, he may try to make it so that he won't be on Utah for long.
Even if this still all ends with him staying a Jazzman, this could get ugly even after he signs on the dotted line. Kessler is a proven commodity, but it's not like Utah's necessarily playing this wrong. The kind of money he wants is for a borderline All-Star, which he very well could be, but hasn't proven himself to be.
This is definitely a situation where you understand both sides, and for that same reason, why this situation could sour sooner rather than later.
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