Reports: Walker Kessler turned down five-year, $140-million offer from Utah Jazz
Jun 16, 2026, 8:52 PM | Updated: Jun 17, 2026, 9:50 am
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler looks to the scoreboard during a timeout in an NBA game against the Boston Celtics held at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — One of the biggest storylines surrounding the Utah Jazz this offseason just got a little more interesting.
First reported by ESPN NBA Insider Tim MacMahon and later confirmed by KSL Sports, Jazz center Walker Kessler received an offer around five years and $140 million from Utah.
More importantly, Kessler’s camp seems to want more than the $28 million per year and may look to test their luck in restricted free agency.
Will be interested to see how this plays out. https://t.co/AgigYgS8UK
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) June 17, 2026
Coming off his rookie contract, Utah has Kessler’s bird rights, meaning they can match any sheet he gets on the market.
Kessler is sure to receive interest; the only question is whether a franchise is willing to outbid the reported numbers from the Jazz. The Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, and Atlanta Hawks are among those rumored to be interested in the fifth-year big man.
The Utah Jazz have exclusive negotiating rights through June 30. On July 1, the NBA’s moratorium period opens, during which other teams can begin talking to restricted free agents.
Walker Kessler has reportedly rejected a five-year, nearly $140 million offer from the Jazz, and his camp is seeking significantly more 😳, per @BannedMacMahon
(h/t @davidjsmith1232 ) pic.twitter.com/yHpdeuPmnC
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 17, 2026
Other centers currently making between $27 and 30 million per year are Myles Turner, Jakob Poeltl, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jarrett Allen.
Kessler’s fourth-year was cut short after undergoing surgery on his labrum in November. Despite only playing 63 total games over the last two seasons, Kessler took a big jump in year three and got off to a strong start in five games played last season, averaging 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds.
On July 6, teams and free agents can make deals official. If any team attempts to sign Kessler, the Utah Jazz will have the option to match and bring him back. Other options include a sign-and-trade and Kessler signing a qualifying offer to bet on himself in unrestricted free agency next offseason.
