The Utah Jazz may be sitting outside the playoff picture, but that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from spinning - especially when it comes to Walker Kessler. Despite the 24-year-old center being sidelined for the rest of the season with a torn labrum in his shoulder, teams around the league are still picking up the phone.
Chief among them? The Indiana Pacers.
According to multiple reports, Indiana has expressed consistent interest in Kessler, even with his injury status. The Pacers are reportedly looking to solidify their frontcourt, potentially pairing a defensive-minded big like Kessler with All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton when he returns from injury next year. But Utah isn’t biting.
League insiders say the Jazz have turned down Indiana's offers - and it’s not the first time they’ve drawn a line in the sand when it comes to Kessler. The Lakers previously made a push for the young center, reportedly offering a significant trade package. Utah passed on that too, choosing instead to hold onto their promising big man.
That tells us something: the Jazz clearly see Kessler as part of their long-term blueprint.
Even though negotiations on a rookie-scale extension before the October 20 deadline reportedly hit a wall, the Jazz continue to signal that they want to keep Kessler in Salt Lake City. He’ll be a restricted free agent this summer, which gives Utah the right to match any offer sheet he signs. And with substantial cap space projected for the offseason, the Jazz are in a strong position to re-sign him - assuming both sides can find common ground.
Before the shoulder injury cut his season short after just five games, Kessler was putting together some eye-opening numbers. He was averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting a scorching 70.3% from the field - and yes, a surprising 75.0% from beyond the arc, albeit on low volume. That kind of efficiency, combined with his rim protection and rebounding, makes him a highly valuable asset, even in today’s pace-and-space NBA.
Kessler’s skill set fits the mold of the modern defensive anchor - a mobile big who can protect the paint, rebound at a high level, and finish efficiently around the rim. And at just 24, he's still scratching the surface of what he can become.
The Jazz may be in the middle of a rebuild, but holding onto Kessler signals they’re not interested in a full teardown. Instead, they’re betting on internal development and smart roster construction - with Kessler as one of the cornerstones. Indiana’s interest is understandable, but for now, Utah seems content to keep their young big right where he is.