Kessler's camp pushed hard to leave Utah, per Stein

Marc Stein reports Walker Kessler's camp told Jazz officials he was determined to reach unrestricted free agency rather than stay in Utah, taking the qualifying offer route if needed. That stance contrasts with a June Instagram post in which Kessler said he always wanted to remain in Utah.

Jazz executive Austin Ainge has said the team valued Kessler and planned to keep him before an offer got too high to pass up. Kessler was traded to the Lakers on the first day of free agency.

Kessler UTA → LAL

+ 2 reports from 2 outlets

Yahoo Sports · 28 Sept 2026Kessler's camp pushed hard to leave Utah, per Stein

Basketball-Reference · 8 Jul 2026Lakers Land Walker Kessler In Four-Pick Deal With Jazz

Walker Kessler

Related updates

Yahoo Sports ↗· 18 Sept 2026

Trade rumor · UTA / LAL

Done deal

Lakers gave up two firsts and two swaps to land Kessler

The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from Utah in a sign-and-trade, sending two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round swaps to the Jazz. Kessler signed a four-year, $130 million deal, leaving Los Angeles without a tradable first-rounder for seven years.

Heavy ↗· 7 Sept 2026

Contract signing · UTA / LAL

Done deal

Horry calls Kessler, not Doncic, the key to Lakers' title hopes

Robert Horry says new Lakers center Walker Kessler is the real key to the team's title chances this season, not Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves.

Basketball-Reference ↗· 8 Jul 2026

Extension · UTA

Done deal

Jazz lock in Walker Kessler on multi-year deal

Utah has signed center Walker Kessler to a multi-year contract. No terms disclosed.