For the fourth straight season, the Utah Jazz are seemingly in a rebuilding phase.
After all, the Utah Jazz have a terrible 9-15 record following their first 24 matchups of the 2025-26 NBA season.
Despite their poor record, players like Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler have some good form, but the Jazz are seemingly unhappy with it.
What needs to happen for the Utah Jazz to become a successful NBA team?
Well, Kessler is in his final year of the standard rookie contract and is seeking a major payday, but the Jazz don’t seem too keen on it.
Utah Jazz ‘unwilling’ to offer Walker Kessler a $120 million contract extension
Kessler averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game in the first five matchups of this season.
Unfortunately, Kessler’s potential breakout season was hindered due to a torn labrum, which sidelined him for the rest of the season.
The injury has also impacted his potential major contract extension from the Jazz, per NBA insider Grant Afseth.
“In contract discussions with the Jazz, Kessler sought upwards of $120 million in total compensation for a long-term contract extension, but Utah was unwilling to commit to that price range,” Afseth reported.
Kessler has made his demand, and with the Jazz unlikely to meet it, this is the perfect opportunity for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers can finally sign Walker Kessler in 2026
Kessler has been a trade target for the Lakers for quite some time now. However, the Jazz haven’t entertained any offers so far.
But what Afseth reported next about Kessler’s future in Utah will certainly be the Purple and Gold’s best shot at signing the young center.
“There was a clear gap in talks between Kessler and Utah,” Afseth stated. “If Kessler hits free agency after finishing the season with the Jazz, he’d need to go out and find that type of offer on the open market to get it matched.”
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Coincidentally, with the Lakers and LeBron James not agreeing to a contract extension, the organization will have massive cap space next summer.
Of course, some of it will be reserved for Austin Reaves’ contract extension, but the rest can be used to sign Kessler to a long-term deal.
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