BLOCKED: Utah Jazz’s Bold $140M Offer REJECTED by Walker Kessler – Why Did He SAY NO?
Utah Jazz face uncertainty as Walker Kessler rejects a reported five-year, $140 million contract offer, raising questions about his future with the team and the challenges of restricted free agency. Can Kessler’s camp secure a bigger payday elsewhere, or will the Jazz ultimately retain their promising center amid cap concerns? David Locke breaks down the market for NBA centers, analyzes the fairness of the Jazz’s offer, and explores the high-stakes negotiation process that could shape Utah’s next moves.
Key topics include the potential ripple effect on the Jazz’s draft strategy, with top prospects like Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Caleb Wilson all under consideration. Locke discusses which player fits best with Keyonte George and the evolving roster, while addressing rumors around agent affiliations and Darius Acuff’s visit. Stay tuned for insight on Utah’s upcoming draft decisions and what they mean for the team’s long-term outlook.
00:00 Walker Kessler Contract Offer
15:39 Jazz Draft Decision Debate
25:51 Agency, Workouts, Draft Patterns
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Why do you think Walker Kessler declined the Jazz's $140M offer?
Coming off a year-long injury? No one is beating that offer, especially as a restricted free agent.
Walker Kessler is not better than any of those guys you just named. All he can do is rebound and block a couple shots a night. That’s it.
Question. What happens if Kessler doesn't get aRFA offer from anyone? Do Utah offer less than 5 year 140? Like say, too bad, you played the odds and now only get 5/125?
Another Dennis Schroeder move
Jazz workout Acuff as continguency. If AJ lands at 2, they draft him. Trade Ace for Acuff. Better balance?
How likely would other teams pick WILSON 2? seems like if that is your guy you can trade down to 4 and get an extra FRP.
Better than Turner??? Uh, no, I don't think so.
Boozer/JJJ/Keesler doesn't feel like a great 4/5 lineup because Boozer can't pay the 5 as a vertically challenged athlete who didn't protect the rim and JJJ best as a 4. AJ probably can play 2. The fit is Lauri eventually traded. AJ/Ace play the 2/3 minutes instead with them moving up to 3/4 when JJJ plays the 5.
See ya Walker! You didn't play at all last season, you haven't been an all star or led us to the playoffs. Your not worth the money.
Totally agree that in 5 years Caleb could be the best player of the top 4, higher ceiling but a lower floor. I'm very happy with either AJ, DP or Cameron if Cameron is a Doncic.
I'd say the Jazz need to be looking at a sign and trade with Kessler at this point. $140 million is already an over-pay for someone with his skill set and health history.
Deandre Ayton welcome to Utah sign & trade
Lakers are Gonna offer him 178 for 4 years I promise you they are because they know jazz always have 2 max front court players & they don’t think the jazz will match
Trade Kessler and get a different big.
I would like to get a $140 million contract and feel underpaid.
I am a lakers spy here lol whats going on with kessler
Tony jones is full of crap! He has once source with a security guard and he thinks a jazz reporter lol
This makes perfect sense: he's 24 so he gets 24 million a year. If he was 28, he would get 28 million.
If he is legitimately mad, it has to be because he had on opportunity to play last year and the Jazz told him "we're shutting you down for the year but we'll make sure we take care of you" Whether he was promised a number or thought he was getting more, who knows?
Did you just say Walker is screwed? There's nothing flawed about it. Its the risk and reward of one contract ending and a new one starting. Think of how contracts usually work. You wait till one contract ends then you look at a new one. This gives them both the guarantee of $14M in his final year and if he doesn't want to risk injury he can enter a new agreement now. Thats actually very in favor of the player, especially when they are being terrible to the Jazz that have worked with him and have now made him a very fair offer. I used to be a fan of walker, I now think he and his camp are trash. The Jazz are entering their winning basketball phase and they are twisting the arm after $140m offer. No, not kessler is screwed instead screw kessler. Bad form.
Let’s see if Walker is still in the league 2-years from now.
That is too much for What Walker has shown so far, especially in this new era. 25 m each year is pushing it.
Walker is not good enough to demand more than what we offered, in fact, the Jazz shouldn't even be offering close to that much. He has been an injury prone player, not to mention he is mentally weak. He pouts all the time and cannot be coached tough. He gets bullied by guys like Mark Williams who is rumored to get 15 million a year. Keep the asset them trade him immediatly. Cant be having a mentally weak, seemingly emotional player on the team. The most he should get is 16/year. Centers are like RBs in the NFL. If you have a CMC or Bijan (Jokic/Wemby) pay them, otherwise they should not take up any of the Cap.
He isn't better than Gobert. Seems better to get a big body that's cheaper. Take AJ at 2. Find a cheaper center or 2.