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ALERT:What is Front Office RISK of Losing Walker Kessler for Cap FLEXIBILITY | Who WON the Summer



ALERT:What is Front Office RISK of Losing Walker Kessler for Cap FLEXIBILITY | Who WON the Summer

Are the Utah Jazz risking a Jonathan Kuminga-style standoff with Walker Kessler? David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, breaks down the implications of the franchise opting not to extend Kessler’s contract, analyzing the potential fallout and the calculated gamble with cap flexibility for next offseason. Locke discusses what Jazz management stands to gain or lose by letting Kessler enter restricted free agency, comparing the situation to Kuminga’s tension with Golden State and debating the realistic market value for an established rim-protecting center like Kessler—including hypothetical trade scenarios involving Austin Reaves and multiple first-round picks.

The episode also spotlights the rising stock of Keyonte George, unanimously named the Jazz’s summer MVP for his offseason transformation in strength, athleticism, and commitment. Locke offers sharp statistical targets for George’s upcoming season and evaluates whether Bryce Sensabaugh or Ace Bailey could emerge as Utah’s second-leading scorer behind Lauri Markkanen. Additional segments weigh the merits of playing Ace Bailey at the two, set fair expectations for Taylor Hendricks following last season’s major injury, and assess what the signing of Mo Bamba means for the team’s training camp and big-man rotation.

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#NBA #UtahJazz #WillHardy #DannyAinge #jordanclarkson #laurimarkkanen

10 Comments

  1. @brianbrockhoff5463

    My actual concern on the Walker situation is that it may actual become a Gordon Hayward situation. Remember when they told him to go "find a deal"? How did that turn out for Utah once he became an UFA?

  2. @je5406

    The good thing about a Laker friendly trade is that Silver may bless the lottery balls next June.

  3. @paullippmann8011

    What if Kessler has a great season and another team like the Lakers, offers him a big contract with poison pills? Is there a risk of losing him for nothing?

  4. @benjaminroe311ify

    There is certainly a risk that we pissed off Walker but is he REALLY going to be franchise type player for a championship team? NO. Yes he might be the Jazz 2nd best player (HE IS) But he's not even 4th or even 5th best player on championship team. Jazz are trying to build championship caliber. We don't give an early extension to a guy because he's a NICE player. That's what Kessler is right now. A NICE player. Potential to be really good? SURE. Potential to be great? EH…. maybe. I don't give early extension to player for being KINDA GOOD if I'm the Jazz. For this reason I even disagreed with the Lauri contract. He's not a top guy for championship caliber either. Maybe a number 3rd option. Very good player but not necessarily great. I think the Jazz knew that and thought well we got to keep SOMEONE who we believe in value wise and that's Lauri. But Jazz are STILL looking for their 1st and 2nd real good options to carry the team forward to relevancy. Walker DOES not seem to be that guy. At least not to me.

  5. @porcupinecraig

    Is Walker even close to being an all star? NO!
    Then why should he get all star money?
    The league is messed up. Every player wants max money.

  7. @brentburnett6658

    The real risk is Walker getting injured and loses lots of money. Sometimes is best to take guaranteed money 💰
    The jazz have to spend money on someone so really not any risk.
    Jazz just want the right player which Kessler is and can grow into a 30mm player. He is not that far off.
    He has another year to prove it.
    He has incentive. The Jazz are playing it wisely.
    Plus Kessler can’t just leave. Jazz can match any offer so it’s irrelevant compared to Hayward. Gordon was unrestricted.
    At this point the Jazz get to play the time game and will be fine. Kessler might miss out if not careful ….

  8. @ChrisLant-c2u

    I've been waiting for the Jazz to find a useful trade for their collection of average veteran frontcourt players–Nurkic, Anderson, Love, Niang, Mykhailiuk, and now Bamba. For the Jazz, these guys are just taking up salary and minutes played. The one team that could use them is the Warriors who have no frontcourt depth whatsoever and an incomplete roster. Why not trade all of them, along with some buyout money, for Jonathan Kuminga after he signs the Qualifying Offer? And that could even leave the Jazz with enough money to make an offer for RFA Quentin Grimes.

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