The Atlanta Hawks should try to steal Walker Kessler away from the Utah Jazz in restricted free agency.
The Atlanta Hawks are entering an offseason in which they have a chance to start molding their roster as they see fit in the post-Trae Young era.
When it comes to the center spot, the Hawks have a very solid piece in Onyeka Okongwu, who has evolved into a starter for Atlanta. Behind him, they have another serviceable piece in Jock Landale, who came over in a trade in the 2025-26 season.
But Okongwu's game has some limitations, and Landale (a free agent this offseason) has shown to be more of a bench piece.
If the Hawks want to upgrade their center room this summer, they should swing for the fences and try to wedge 7-foot-2 big man Walker Kessler away from the Utah Jazz.
Kessler is a restricted free agent this offseason, a complicated place for a player to be. In his case, it sounds like some drama behind the scenes is making it even more complicated.
The center is reportedly "at odds" with the Utah front office over the handling of his restricted free agency, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Amick shared that Kessler is "strongly considering" the idea of a future away from the Jazz amid the team's choice to "leverage the realities of restricted free agency against him as a way to minimize his market."
Amick also noted that the Hawks have pushed to acquire him in the past.
Once the Jazz extend a qualifying offer to Kessler, they will have the ability to match any offer sheet that he signs with another team. That means that the 24-year-old isn't completely free to dictate his next destination.
A separate report from ESPN's Tim MacMahon detailed that the two sides aren't close to a deal despite the Jazz offering Kessler a five-year contract worth about $140 million.
For the Hawks, their playoff series against the New York Knicks highlighted some major frontcourt flaws. Landale was sidelined due to injury, and Okongwu and fellow big man Mouhamed Gueye struggled to keep up with New York's frontcourt attack.
Size was an issue for Atlanta. Kessler would remedy that. At 7-foot-2, he has the type of frame that would open up some exciting possibilities for the Hawks.
Kessler is a very good defender, which some might call the most important trait for a center. But in his case, that isn't all he brings to the table. He is also a nightly double-double threat and efficient scorer.
A shoulder injury cost Kessler virtually the entire 2025-26 season, but in the 2024-25 campaign, he averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, with 4.6 of those rebounds coming on the offensive glass. He shot 66.3 percent from the field in 58 games.
This past season, he averaged 14.4 points per contest in five games before losing the rest of his season to injury. He was shooting 70.3 percent from the field and was even starting to look like a potential threat from 3-point range.
The Hawks have some talent in their frontcourt. But if they want to elevate that part of their roster, Kessler is a fantastic option. They should try to pry him away from the Jazz if there is any opportunity to do so.
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