Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler has turned down a five-year, $140 million contract extension offer from the franchise, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. It would have been the largest deal ever given to a center who had yet to earn an All-Star selection. Kessler’s camp is looking for “significantly more” – reportedly close to $40 million per year.
The Jazz have the right to match any offer sheet Kessler signs, as he enters restricted free agency. Utah’s exclusive negotiating window runs through June 30. After that, teams can begin talks with restricted free agents during the moratorium period opening July 1.
One of the league’s best at what he does
The 7-foot-2 Kessler sat out most of 2025-26 with a shoulder injury, appearing in just five games. But the season before, he ranked second in the NBA in blocks (2.4) and fifth in rebounds (12.2), averaging 11.1 points per game. The Jazz know what they have. The argument is over what it’s worth.
His camp’s logic: elite rim protection and rebounding are scarce, and Kessler dominates both categories. The Jazz’s counter: he hasn’t played a full season, hasn’t been an All-Star, and the $140M offer is already historic by the numbers.
Several teams circling
The Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks are among the teams reported to have interest once the market opens. If no extension is reached, Kessler can sign an offer sheet on July 6. Utah would then have until July 20 to match.
The standoff is one of several ongoing for the Jazz this offseason. Extension talks with guard Keyonte George – who averaged 23.6 points and 6.1 assists in a breakout 2025-26 season – are also complicated, though the front office remains more patient with him.
Utah also holds the No. 2 pick in next week’s draft, adding another moving part to an already busy summer in Salt Lake City.
