Jazz Face Uncertain Future With Kessler, George Both in Limbo

The Utah Jazz offered what would be the largest contract ever for a non-All-Star center to restricted free agent Walker Kessler, but that number is oceans apart from what Kessler’s camp is seeking. The Jazz would award a five-year, $140 million deal to Kessler, and while he has yet to take it, they retain the right to match any outside offer sheet due to his restricted nature.

Kessler is one of the elite shot blockers and rebounders in the league at his 7-foot-2 stature. While he only played in five games in last season’s campaign due to a season-ending shoulder injury, he was tremendous in his 2024-25 campaign. He was second in the NBA in blocks with 2.4 per game, fifth in rebounds with 12.2, and averaged 11.1 points per game while shooting 66.3 percent from the floor.

It’s not just Kessler who has had talks stall, as Utah isn’t looking too optimistic on being able to reach an agreement for a rookie extension to guard Keyonte George. George, after struggling his first two seasons, needs to show a bit more for the Jazz to be amenable to an extension. But he showed dramatic improvement in 2025-26, averaging 23.6 points per game and 6.1 assists per game.

To read more about the frustrations growing in Utah between the parties, here is the full story from Jazz Roundtable writer Elijah Grayson Murray.

It’s clear that Utah’s strategy is comfortability with major franchise pieces entering restricted free agency and not throwing up their hands and agreeing to their demands. For now, they’ll hold the leverage matching rights for both Kessler and George ahead of the NBA draft next week, where they hold the No. 2 overall pick.