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SALT LAKE CITY — Walker Kessler was reflecting on what led to his strong third season when it hit him: He was getting older.
"Last summer gave me such a good jump start into … I guess my third year. My third year — yeah, that's crazy," the Utah Jazz center said.
Kessler has grown up. He averaged 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds in his third season while being visibly stronger, more active, and playing with a different urgency.
Kessler led the league in offensive boards by nearly a full rebound and was second only to Victor Wembanyama in blocks and block percentage. If not for the once-in-a-generation presence of Wembanyama, Kessler might already be viewed as the league's next great rim protector.
He's also been key to Utah's offensive flow, serving as an obstacle course for defenders to get around and a trusted roll man. He likely would have led the league in field goal percentage if the Jazz hadn't given him the green light to fire up 3-pointers in the final month of the season.
The Jazz even deemed him too good to tank with — sitting him for several games down the stretch to "rest," despite him being just 23. Hey, we all get a little sleepy sometimes, right?
It was a clear step forward for Kessler. Now, decisions have to be made — both by him and the organization. Kessler is eligible to sign a rookie contract extension this summer.
"I love Utah, I love the fans, I love the coaching staff of the people around here, love the mountains," Kessler said. "I think that this can be home for me, and so I'm excited to go to negotiations and figure something out. But I definitely love Utah, and I would be very thankful, very blessed to stay here."
Kessler said he hasn't thought much about whether he'd prefer to sign an extension this summer or head to restricted free agency next year. But the time has come to weigh his options.
There were 11 such extensions signed last season, ranging from max contracts for Cade Cunningham, Franz Wagner, Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley to more minor ones like Jaden Hardy's 3-year, $18-million deal with the Mavericks.
There's no obvious comp for Kessler in that group — and the same goes for the 2023 or 2022 extension crops — so what might the number look like?
In 2023-24, Brooklyn's Nic Claxton put up similar numbers to what Kessler posted this past season. They're different types of defensive centers — Claxton is better switching on the perimeter, Kessler is more dominant down low — but Claxton's deal could at least offer a starting point.
Last summer, Claxton got a 4-year, $97 million contract with the Nets, making him the ninth-highest-paid center in the league (a ranking that will surely drop as the cap rises).
Would the Jazz be comfortable paying Kessler $24.3 million or more per season? That would be roughly 16% of the cap if it jumps the projected 10%. Not a wild figure for a starting center — and a good one, at that.
Still, there are questions about his potential postseason impact. The Jazz have been down the defensive center road before in the playoffs — a road that always ended before the conference finals rolled around.
Will Kessler's camp look for more? After all, Oklahoma City gave Isaiah Hartenstein a deal worth $29.5 million per season last summer.
So, there are questions to consider for both parties as they negotiate.
"We'll get into those (extension) discussions this summer," general manager Justin Zanik said. "I can see him being a part of this team for a long time. His attitude and commitment to not only our organization, but to himself and to this community, he's made me proud that way. But that doesn't mean I'm going to go easy on him. He got more to give. And I think he knows that too. I mean that in the most positive way."
