The Jazz are bracing for a real fight to keep Walker Kessler.
Once free agency opens Tuesday evening, the restricted free agent center is expected to have multiple teams lined up for meetings, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic. Those talks are set to take place at CAA headquarters in Los Angeles, a clear sign Kessler’s market is already warming up.
Utah has already done its part on paper, officially tendering Kessler a qualifying offer Monday. That move gives the Jazz the right to match any offer sheet he signs elsewhere, and it keeps the team in control of the process.
The two sides have been working through negotiations during Utah’s exclusive window, but those conversations apparently haven’t been smooth. Reports have said the Jazz put a five-year deal worth about $140 million on the table, though Kessler’s camp reportedly hasn’t been happy with how things have gone.
Still, the expectation around the league is that Kessler stays in Utah. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that multiple teams are expected to show interest, but the prevailing belief is that the 7-foot-2 center ultimately re-signs with the Jazz.
Utah isn’t just thinking about the frontcourt, either. The team is also believed to be looking for a veteran guard who can fit alongside its young backcourt.
Elsewhere, the Bulls continue to come up as a possible destination for Norman Powell.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype and Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal have heard the same, and Powell’s name has stayed in the mix as Chicago looks for scoring help. One path appears unlikely, though: Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press reported that Powell is not expected to pursue sign-and-trade scenarios involving the Heat.
Powell is coming off the strongest season of his career. He made his first All-Star team after putting up 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 47.0 percent from the field, 38.0 percent from 3-point range and 82.7 percent from the line in 58 games.
Phoenix, meanwhile, is still hunting for backcourt help and plans to use the taxpayer mid-level exception to do it.
John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 reported that the Suns have identified several veteran guards as targets. Two of the names connected to that search are already gone, with Kevin Huerter expected to stay with the Pistons and Landry Shamet headed back to the Knicks.
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The wrinkle is that Chicago is not alone in the pursuit, with Miami and Detroit also in the mix as the Bulls weigh how aggressively to use what remains of their spending power. If the front office does decide to make a push, it would be the kind of signing that says plenty about how the Bulls want to use the rest of their cap space, and why this one could split the fan base before any paperwork is even signed. [Read more 🡒]