Without a rookie-scale extension from the Utah Jazz, Walker Kessler is slated to hit the restricted free agent market next summer.

At the end of the 2024-25 season, there was a push from the Utah Jazz coaching staff for Walker Kessler to take at least six 3-pointers per game. It wasn’t about him making shots. Rather, it was about finding the right times in a game when a 3 made sense and finding comfortability in getting those shots off.

Sacramento has also ruled out rookie guard Nique Clifford due to a hamstring injury while Keegan Murray remains sidelined due to recovery from offseason thumb surgery. Fans can catch Friday’s matchup between the Jazz and Kings from Sacramento at 10:00 p.m. EST.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/jazz as Utah Jazz’s Walker Kessler Earns Intriguing Extension Projection. Throughout the most recent NBA offseason, the Utah Jazz have had the challenging dilemma of deciding whether or not to extend their fourth-year big man and center of the future, Walker Kessler.

Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith has agreed to a two-year, $40.4 million contract extension with the franchise through the 2028-29 season, plus a trade kicker, agent Mike Lindeman of Excel Sports Management tells ESPN. Pacers give Nesmith the max allowed salary via extension. pic.twitter.com/c5zUYN3yj6

Jazz center Walker Kessler is unlikely to get a contract extension before the October deadline, according to reports. That has caused some frustration for the big man.

The Utah Jazz claimed a victory in their final preseason game of the year thanks to a big night from Walker Kessler.