Walker Kessler is frustrated for not renewing with the Jazz: "I don't want to talk about this"

Walker Kessler will face the start of the season without a new contract in hand. As reported by The Athletic, despite multiple meetings between the player and the franchise over the summer, negotiations for a rookie contract extension have not reached a successful conclusion, and it is not expected to happen before the start of the season.

The main reason seems to be related to Utah's salary strategy. According to projections, the center will enter restricted free agency in 2026 with a cap hold of $14.9 million, a very low figure compared to the initial salary that an immediate extension would entail. Preserving that economic flexibility for the upcoming summer is one of the management's priorities.

Kessler, on his part, acknowledged during the media day that the discussions have not gone as he expected. "I don't want to talk about this beyond today because I don't want it to be a distraction for me or my teammates during the season," he commented. Nevertheless, he admitted feeling "a little frustrated" with how the situation is unfolding, although he avoided elaborating on whether the club has informed him that there will be no firm offer.

The management's words

Journalist Andy Larsen, from The Salt Lake Tribune, pointed out that the player's camp is seeking a long-term contract approaching or even surpassing nine figures. From the management side, Austin Ainge, president of basketball operations, was conciliatory: "We are big fans of Walker. We have talked with him and his agent this summer and hope to have him long-term, either now or in the future."

For now, Kessler will have to focus on the sporting side. The center, who came through Auburn and North Carolina, will earn $4.88 million in the 2025/26 season, the final year of his current deal. Despite the contractual uncertainty, he expressed being happy in Utah and motivated to continue growing with the Jazz.

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