The Utah Jazz are starting to look less like a team waiting for the future and more like a group quietly building something formidable behind the scenes. While the wins may not be pouring in just yet, there’s a growing buzz around what this roster could become-especially when it comes to a potential defensive pairing that’s already got players talking: Jaren Jackson Jr. and Walker Kessler.
According to recent conversations with Jazz players, there’s real anticipation for what Jackson and Kessler could do together next season. And while nothing is set in stone, the fact that this duo is already being discussed in the locker room says a lot. It suggests not only that Kessler is expected back-he’s a restricted free agent this summer-but that the team is already thinking about how to maximize his impact alongside Jackson.
That’s not just idle chatter either. The Jazz reportedly turned down trade offers for Kessler at the deadline, doubling down on their commitment to keep him in Salt Lake City. It’s not official until pen meets paper, but all signs point to Kessler anchoring the middle for Utah again next season.
So why the excitement over this pairing? It’s pretty simple-defense.
The Jazz have struggled on that end of the floor for the better part of the last three and a half seasons. At times, it hasn’t just been bad-it’s been hard to watch.
But Jackson and Kessler offer a path out of that rut, and on paper, they complement each other in all the right ways.
Jackson brings elite versatility. A former league leader in blocks, he can still protect the rim, but with Kessler handling those duties down low, Jackson can slide out to the perimeter and use his length and mobility to disrupt passing lanes and switch onto wings. Kessler, meanwhile, is a true rim protector-one of the best young shot-blockers in the league-and he’s still growing into his role.
The beauty of this potential pairing is that they don’t step on each other’s toes. When Kessler needs a breather, Jackson can slide back into the paint and take over those responsibilities.
There’s a fluidity to how they could operate defensively, and that kind of flexibility is rare. It’s not hard to imagine them becoming the best defensive frontcourt Utah has had since the days of Mark Eaton and Karl Malone.
Of course, defense alone doesn’t win titles, and the Jazz still have work to do across the board. But the fact that players are already envisioning what this duo could look like next season?
That’s a big deal. It means the team isn’t just waiting for a rebuild-they’re actively preparing for a leap.
Now, there’s still one big hurdle to clear: Kessler’s contract.
He’ll enter restricted free agency this summer, and while that gives Utah the right to match any offer, it doesn’t guarantee a smooth negotiation. Kessler’s market took a hit when Washington landed Anthony Davis and Indiana traded for Ivica Zubac, two moves that effectively dried up potential suitors with cap space and a need at center.
But don’t expect Kessler to come cheap. He knows his value in Utah-especially now.
The Jazz didn’t trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. just to keep tanking. That move signaled a shift in direction, and Kessler is a central piece of that puzzle.
He’s not just a nice fit-he’s a foundational one.
That gives him leverage. Utah can’t afford to let this potential pairing fall apart before it even hits the floor. Fans are already envisioning what this tandem could do to opposing offenses, and the front office knows how rare it is to find two defenders of this caliber who can actually play together without compromising spacing or roles.
So yes, negotiations might get tense. But both sides understand what’s at stake.
If Jackson and Kessler do end up sharing the court in a Jazz uniform next season, the rest of the league better take notice. Because Utah might just be done waiting for next year-and ready to start making noise.