Walker Kessler Rejects Jazz's $140 Million Offer as Utah Moves to Match in Restricted Free Agency
Updated
Updated · Deseret News · Jun 30
Walker Kessler Rejects Jazz's $140 Million Offer as Utah Moves to Match in Restricted Free Agency
3 articles · Updated · Deseret News · Jun 30
Summary
$140 million over five years was the Jazz's early extension offer to Walker Kessler, and its rejection sends the 7-footer into restricted free agency as talks open.
Tuesday meetings between Kessler's agent Aaron Mintz and interested teams will test the market, but Utah can match any offer sheet to keep the center.
$7.1 million remains Kessler's fallback qualifying offer if no long-term deal is reached, a path that would let him become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
Jusuf Nurkić's reported agreement gives Utah immediate center depth after Austin Ainge said the roster had no centers under contract, with more frontcourt and defensive wing help still on the agenda.