Walker Kessler ‘Excited’ For Contract Extension Talks With Jazz
Apr 24, 2025, 2:26 PM | Updated: Apr 25, 2025, 9:38 am
Head Coach Will Hardy of the Utah Jazz talks to Walker Kessler #24 (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Now preparing for his fourth season in the NBA, Walker Kessler said he’s excited to begin contract extension talks with the Utah Jazz.
The center is coming off a career year with the Jazz and is eligible to begin extension talks this summer.
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Walker Kessler Would Welcome Contract Extension With Jazz
After a disappointing sophomore season in Utah, Kessler emerged as one of the league’s top young centers in his third year with the Jazz.
The Auburn product averaged 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds in 58 appearances as a 23-year-old. With one year left on his rookie contract, he can sign a multi-year extension this offseason.
WALKER KESSLER FIGHTS THROUGH TRAFFIC TO WIN IN IT UTAH!!! pic.twitter.com/HWSfNHnciq
— NBA (@NBA) March 1, 2025
“I love Utah, I love the fans, love the coaching staff, love the people around here, I love the mountains, and I think that this can be home for me,” Kessler said.
Kessler’s 2.4 blocks per game ranked second in the NBA, while his 4.6 offensive rebounds led the league.
“I’m excited to go to negotiations and figure something out,” Kessler added.
What Might Walker Kessler Contract Extension Be Worth?
While Kessler is eligible to sign a contract for as long as five years, worth up to 25 percent of the salary cap, he likely won’t get the maximum allowable deal if he signs this summer.
Maximum rookie extensions are traditionally reserved for players who have already been named to an All-Star team, or likely will over the course of their upcoming deal.
Though Kessler appears to have a stranglehold on the starting center position in Utah, he has room to improve before being considered a likely All-Star.
Walker Kessler put on a defensive masterclass last night.
The season-high 6 blocks stood out, but he was also effective on switches.
Lakers shot 8/14 (57%) at the rim last night, which is well below league average (66%) and represented just 22% of their shot attempts pic.twitter.com/FYMVtjFR5T
— Eric Spyropoulos (@EricSpyroNBA) February 13, 2025
With that said, Kessler is already a proven commodity, and one worth investing in for the Jazz.
Finding accurate comps for a Kessler extension is somewhat tricky due to the wide chasm between the league’s top centers and the dramatic dropoff through the middle and lower tiers, but an agreeable number should be attainable for both his camp and the Jazz.
Last summer, two promising, non-All-Star centers signed contracts that may provide the framework for a Kessler extension.
Nic Claxton, whose 2023-24 numbers were strikingly similar to Kessler’s latest campaign, inked an extension with the Brooklyn Nets worth just under $100 million over four seasons.
Isaiah Hartenstein, meanwhile, signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder on a three-year, $87 million deal, though the final year of the contract is a team option.
Between Claxton’s $25 million yearly average and Hartenstein’s $29 million annual value, the Jazz and Kessler would be wise to expect a deal in the ballpark of those two contracts.
“We’ll get into those discussions this summer just depending on different things,” Jazz general manager Justin Zanik said, “but you know, I can see him being a part of this team for a long time.”
What Happens If Jazz, Kessler Don’t Reach An Agreement?
While neither side should cheat themselves to get a deal done, there is motivation for both the Jazz and Kessler to come to an agreement this summer rather than waiting for his rookie deal to expire.
With the salary cap continuing to rise after the NBA’s latest national television deal, the Jazz would benefit from signing Kessler before the average salary across the league rises.
Furthermore, if Kessler takes another major leap in his fourth year, the Jazz may get the center at a discount over the life of his extension.
Walker Kessler praised @utahjazz fans for continuing to show up to home games throughout what has been a difficult 15 win season so far. #TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/0hAPNFmgfg
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 4, 2025
Conversely, Kessler can guarantee himself long-term financial stability by coming to terms with the Jazz, and has protection against potential injury or a sudden downturn in play.
If the two sides can’t come to an agreement, Kessler will become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2026. While the big man would be free to explore opportunities across the NBA, the Jazz would have the right to match any contract offers to keep him in Utah.
Contract negotiations can begin after the conclusion of the NBA Finals, but must be signed before the first day of the regular season.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
