The Utah Jazz have struggled this year. That’s not really a surprise. But there have been some positives to their season, including the emergence of Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen’s scoring dominance. But they have also had their fair share of bad luck. Namely Walker Kessler’s injury.
To make matters worse, Kessler will be a free agent this summer as the 2025-26 season is the final year of his rookie contract. That means that despite missing almost the entire season, Kessler and the Jazz will have to work out a new contract this summer. But there’s also a chance that other teams in the league will try to pry Kessler from Utah.
And one of those teams could possibly be the Washington Wizards.
Wizards could try to steal Walker Kessler from the Jazz
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahoncould the Wizards try to make Kessler a significant offer in free agency:
“They (Jazz) are optimistic that Walker Kessler will be back in Utah, and they have the final say due to his restricted free agency… the rumor around the league is that the Wizards are looking to make him a major offer.”
Washington made a huge change this offseason by trading CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Atlanta Hawks for Trae Young, who will be one of the focal points of their franchise going forward.
The Wizards already have a solid infrastructure with Young, Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr and others, but adding a big man like Kessler could be a huge help.
Sarr has made great strides this season, but using him as a power forward rather than a center could be ideal for his development, especially if his three-point shot continues to develop.
Trying to steal Kessler away from the Jazz in free agency would give them a perfect defensive lineup around Young, which is crucial because the Wizards will have to build a way to cover him in that area.
But if you’re the Jazz, keeping Kessler should be a top priority this season. He had a great year before going down, and he should be a big part of the next era of Jazz basketball.
His defense and rebounding are crucial to Utah’s long-term success, as he should be a perfect piece next to Ace Bailey, George and the rest of their young core.
The Wizards, and perhaps some other teams around the league, will undoubtedly try to pry Kessler out of Utah in free agency. But he’ll be a restricted free agent, and the Jazz should definitely keep him around.
#Trae #Young #trade #put #Jazz #uncomfortable #situation