How the Utah’s Draft Plans Could Affect Walker Kessler’s Future in Utah

If we're to buy the smoke that AJ Dybantsa is already locked in as the Washington Wizards' top draft choice, that leaves the Utah Jazz with three primary options with the second-overall selection. 

With the BYU product off the board, it's safe to assume Utah would be picking from a pool of Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. Based on pure talent, Peterson would have to be the pick, but what if the Jazz were to add even more help to its already-stacked frontcourt? 

Well, if Utah passed on Peterson, there's no way Will Hardy could trot out a five-man lineup that consists of Walker Kessler, Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen and Boozer or Wilson. One of those guys would have to go, and it certainly won't be Jackson or Markkanen who are shown the door. 

Kessler, 24, has been projected to receive a four-year, $125 million extension, which would place him among the league's highest-paid big men. 

With so much young talent that will eventually need to be paid already on the roster — and that's not even accounting for future prospects that Utah will add — committing over $30 million annually to Kessler likely isn't the smartest move. 

And that's a fact regardless of whether Peterson, Boozer or Wilson is the choice at two. 

But if Danny Ainge and Justin Zanik opt to bolster the frontcourt even further, it'd be wise of them to deal Kessler this summer. The Jazz could capitalize on a center-desperate team like the Los Angeles Lakers to force an overpay. 

In this scenario, Jackson shifts over to the five-spot while Boozer or Wilson commands the power forward position, leaving Markkanen at the three. Suddenly, Utah would boast one of the longest frontcourts in the entire NBA — quite the luxury while stuck in a conference where Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren live at the top. 

Adding Kessler to the mix just overcomplicates things and could even force Hardy into difficult rotation decisions when trying to find Boozer or Wilson minutes. 

The Kessler conundrum isn’t as glaring if Peterson is the pick. The big man could remain the team’s starting center, while Jackson slides to the four — a position he spent much of his early career playing.

Still, the financial commitment Kessler could command wouldn't bode well for Utah. Its flexibility is one of its greatest advantages, and extending the former first-round pick would greatly diminish the work Ainge and Zanik have put in.