- Walker Kessler is frustrated over stalled contract talks with the Utah Jazz.
- Kessler, a top rim protector, could become a restricted free agent next summer.
- The Jazz may delay his extension for cap flexibility under the new CBA.
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler admitted to being "a little frustrated" over his contract situation Monday.
Kessler is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is eligible for an extension — but that's something that is looking less and less likely to happen before the Oct. 20 deadline.
"I'm definitely a little frustrated if I don't," Kessler said. "But regardless, I love Utah, I love the fan base, I love my teammates, I love the coaches; and as long as I have a Utah Jazz Jersey on, I will play winning basketball."
Jazz president of basketball operations Austin Ainge declined to get into specifics but made it clear the team values Kessler.
"We're big fans of Walker, and have talked with him and his people all summer, and hope to have him around long term, whether that's in agreement now or later, but we're big fans of Walker," Ainge said.
Kessler has emerged as one of the league's top rim protectors. Last season, he was second in the NBA with 2.4 blocks per game, while also averaging 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds.
It's not exactly a standoff between the Jazz and Kessler, but it is business. And right now, business might be pointing the Jazz toward patience.
If Kessler and the Jazz don't reach a deal by the October deadline, Kessler will become a restricted free agent next summer; he'd be able to test the market, but Utah could match any offer.
More importantly, his cap hold would sit at about $14.6 million instead of jumping into the $25–30 million range that an extension would likely bring.
That difference matters in the new CBA era, where cap flexibility is gold. And considering the Jazz would be able to go over the cap to sign Kessler next summer, waiting is the smart business play — even if Kessler doesn't love it.
He isn't alone, either. Several of his fellow 2022 draft classmates — like Keegan Murray, Dyson Daniels, Bennedict Mathurin, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren — are waiting for extensions of their own as teams try to navigate the NBA's new, harsher spending rules.
So, yes, Kessler is a little frustrated, but he also doesn't want it to become a talking point. He shared his thoughts, and now he'll let his agent handle the rest.
"I'm just gonna not worry about it during the season," he said. "I'm going to let my agent do what he does best, and I'm just going to focus on playing with energy and effort and trying to win, and playing for my teammates and my coaches."
