Walker Kessler‘s 2025-26 season is officially. While the news is unfortunate for both Kessler and his Utah Jazz, it begs a different question. Has Walker played his last game in a Jazz uniform?
Has Walker Kessler Played His Last Game For The Jazz? What His Season-Ending Injury Means for Both Parties
Kessler, who last played on October 31, will undergo left shoulder surgery, effectively ending his 2025-26 season, according to The Athletic’s Tony Jones.
“Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler will need left shoulder surgery and will miss the remainder of the season, League Sources tell The Athletic,” Jones tweeted.
Kessler reportedly tore his labrum during the preseason and recently reaggravated the injury. NBA Insider Chris Haynes said that the 7-footer will undergo surgery today.
Kessler appeared in just five games this year. The 24-year-old was off to a fantastic start offensively as he was highly efficient. He averaged 14.4 points, on 70.3% shooting, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. Additionally, he produced two double-doubles while adding 1.4 steals and 1.8 blocks per contest.
What Kessler’s Injury Means For The Jazz In 2025-26
On the periphery, Kessler’s injury doesn’t appear to have a significant impact on Utah’s season. It likely doesn’t.
Utah dropped to 3-5 on the season with its 114-103 loss to Detroit on Wednesday despite six players scoring in double-figures. Svi Mykhaliuk led the way for Jazz with 28 points, with Lauri Markkanen contributing 25. The Jazz are tied for 10th in the Western Conference with Phoenix and Sacramento. While the Jazz’s start may give them a little hope that they could make a run at a Play-In Tournament spot, they are one game from the bottom of the standings. Of course, there is still a lot of season left.
The Jazz entered the season with low expectations after finishing with a franchise-worst 17-65 record last season. It marked the Jazz’s third straight losing record and the third consecutive season that their win total dropped.
NBA.com projects the Jazz to finish with an identical 17-65 record in the 2025-26 season, as they continue their rebuild. The Jazz jettisoned several of their key veterans this offseason, and eight of their 15 players on standard contracts are on rookie contracts. Overall, they are the league’s 10th youngest squad, with an average age of 24.9 years old. As a result, this season is more about the development of Ace Bailey, Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier, and Kyle Filipowski.
“It’s not the results of the games that are going to matter this season, but the Utah Jazz have a lot of returning (albeit young) players on the roster, and what coach Will Hardy wants to see is some consistency and some understanding of how the Jazz should approach every game.
Jazz Struggling On Offense
Utah has struggled mightily this season on the offensive side of the ball. The Jazz averaged in the bottom third of the league in scoring at 114 points and 25th in offensive efficiency. The Jazz are one of the worst shooting teams in the league, ranking 28th in field goal percentage (43.8%) and 29th in 3-point percentage (31.5%). They are also committing the second-most turnovers at 17.5 a game, though they do get to the foul line a ton.
Markkanen has been excellent on the offensive end, averaging a career-best 30 points a contest while shooting 46.6% from the field and draining 3.5 treys a contest at a 35.4% clip. George has continued his development in the early going and is off to a fantastic start. However, Kessler is the only other Jazz player averaging double figures. Collier has not played since recovering from his hamstring injury two games ago. Meanwhile, George Niang (foot) has not played this season and is unlikely to return to the floor anytime soon.
In addition to the play of Markkanen and George, there have been some other positive developments for the Jazz. Utah has been solid defensively, ranking 19th in defensive rating (115.1), a significant improvement over the last two years, when they were 30th at 120.1 points per 100 possessions.
Utah has defended well overall this year, particularly the 3-point line. The Jazz have kept its opponents off the free-throw line and the offensive glass. However, they do struggle to defend on the interior and create turnovers.
How Do The Jazz Replace Walker Kessler This Year?
Kessler officially took over as the franchise’s starting center last year. However, the 24-year-old also dealt with injuries last year. He has started only 63 of the Jazz’s last 90 games. So, the Jazz are used to being without the No. 22 pick in 2022.
Jusuf Nurkic appears to be the starter at center as he has begun the last three games. Nurkic has struggled shooting the ball, though he has done a fantastic job on the boards and as a passer. He is averaging 6.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 28 minutes in the games he has opened with the first unit.
Filipowski has started five games at power forward this year alongside Kessler. However, Filopowski has come off the bench in the last three games, averaging 18 minutes a contest behind Nurkic. While Filipowski has been a little more efficient coming off the bench this year, it would be surprising if the 21-year-old didn’t take over as the starter. He started 27 games last season.
Markkanen and Kevin Love, who have seen 45 minutes over three games, are really the only other options the Jazz have at the five. Taylor Hendricks can also play center in emergencies.
Utah has 15 players on standard contracts and is $10.5 million under the salary cap. So, it is conceivable that the Jazz will absorb unwanted salary between December 15 and the trade deadline. Could they pick up a backup center in such a deal? Andre Drummond, Daniel Gafford, and Mitchell Robinson come to mind as possible options. Robinson would likely only be available to the Jazz in a trade where the Knicks need someone to take on his salary to facilitate a larger deal.
Will Kessler Be On The Jazz Next Season?
While Utah is likely to make some deals between now and the NBA’s deadline, Jones doesn’t believe Markkanen is going anywhere. Markkanen has four years left on the massive extension that he signed last season. Thus, leaving Georges Niang, Nurkic, Kevin Love, and Kyle Anderson are on expiring contracts and are the most likely players not to finish the season with the team. Of that trio of players, Love figures to be the first to go.
Kessler projects to be a restricted free agent after he and the Jazz couldn’t agree on a rookie extension before the October 31 deadline. Jones did say that the two sides briefly discussed doing a deal, and the Jazz did make an offer. However, Kessler’s representation was hoping for a massive season from the former Auburn Tiger to boost his value.
Kessler, making $4.8 million this season, has a qualifying offer set at $7.08 million. While the Jazz are almost guaranteed to extend an offer to Kessler and work out a long-term deal, a sign-and-trade appears to be a highly probable outcome.
Kessler Likely To Be Traded
Utah has 11 players under contract for the 2026-27 season, with salaries totaling just over $104 million. Plenty can happen between now and the end of June, though the Jazz do have some wiggle room. Anderson’s $9.6 million salary doesn’t become fully guaranteed until June 28. Don’t expect the Jazz to pick up the option if he is still on the team at the end of this season.
The Jazz have “shopped” Kessler the last two years. But they apparently haven’t found what they have been looking for. With the Jazz still being in the rebuilding stages, they may decide that the time is now to trade him, especially if Filipowski develops as planned. The Jazz have their own first-round pick, though; if they fall out of the top 9, OKC holds the rights due to a previous trade.
Kessler will likely generate significant trade interest due to his improved offensive skills this year, particularly in showcasing his floor spacing and passing ability. Kessler is an offensive rebounding and shot-blocking phenom. For his career, he averages 2.4 blocks and 9.3 rebounds (3.4 offensive).
The Jazz have reportedly sought a young player and two draft picks in any trade for Kessler. The price may be slightly higher or lower due to the injury. Kessler’s early offensive explosion could drive up the cost to three draft picks. One thing to note is that the Jazz shouldn’t expect to be outbid for him, as they have the right to match, which is why a trade is probable.
The Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers have shown the most interest in Kessler. However, expect several other clubs to throw their names in the bidding war as the offseason gets underway next June.
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