Fourth-year big man Walker Kessler and the Utah Jazz could not agree to a contract extension this offseason, according to The Athletic’s Tony Jones, meaning the shot-blocking center will be a restricted free agent in 2026. The development spells good news for the Los Angeles Lakers, who’ve reportedly coveted Kessler for several years as a long-term center due to his age and athleticism.
Jones noted that the news opens the door for the Lakers to possibly make Kessler an offer sheet in 2026 when they could have nearly $60 million in cap space.
“Currently, there are a limited number of teams that project to have cap space. One team is the Los Angeles Lakers, which has been a past admirer of Kessler’s,” Jones reported.
In that sense, there could be pressure on the Jazz to have a prospective offer ready for Kessler at or near the start of free agency.
Kessler, Jazz Couldn’t Agree to Deal
The report explained why Kessler, one of the best young centers in the league, and the Jazz could not agree on a long-term contract this offseason.
The Jazz see themselves trying to end their time near the bottom of the Western Conference standings as soon as next summer. By not signing Kessler now, he would have a cap hold of $14.9 million next summer, which would give the Jazz enough space to keep Kessler’s hold and still do work in free agency,” wrote Jones.
Then, the Jazz and Kessler theoretically can come to an agreement. Because Utah holds Kessler’s Bird rights, the Jazz would be able to exceed the cap by signing him.
“If Utah extends Kessler now, his cap hold would be whatever that contract dictates, which could make the franchise less flexible from a money standpoint.”
Jones added that the Jazz “highly value” Kessler and view him as a cornerstone of their future core, but are hesitant to pay him top dollars just yet.
Are Ayton, Lakers a Longterm Fit?
While adding Kessler to the roster in 2026 would be a big coup, the Lakers are currently invested in Deandre Ayton, who signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Lakers this offseason, as their center of the foreseeable future. That said, Ayton, who owns a player option in his deal, may not be on the Lakers in 2026-27 if he doesn’t prove to be an ideal fit in the upcoming season — playing next to Luka Doncic and Co.
Ayton had run-ins with Monty Williams’ coaching staff in Phoenix in his last few years, and again with Chauncey Billups‘ staff in Portland. As such, many analysts beleive Ayton may flame out as a Laker, too, and not enjoy a long stint in Purple and Gold.
The Athletic’s Jason Quick reported in July that Ayton’s behavior rubbed Trail Blazers coach Billups the wrong way to the point where the team wanted him gone.
See, the Blazers could live with Ayton missing shots or his man scoring on him,” Quick wrote after Ayton signed with the Lakers. “They could even live with him being limited by injuries to 55 and 40 games in his two seasons in Portland.
“But in the end, they couldn’t live with his bad ways. The tardiness to team flights and practices, according to a team source. The skipping of rehabilitation appointments. Fans saw him slam chairs when he was taken out of games. And a team source said there were tantrums in the locker room when he was sidelined for poor effort.”
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