Is Walker Kessler Clashing With the Jazz? Would That Open the Door for the Lakers?

Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers · Jun 17, 2026 · 36m

The Lakers have been linked to Jazz center Walker Kessler in one way or another for a couple of seasons. None of it made a lot of sense, given that Kessler is young, good, fits Utah's timeline and was under contract. Meaning there was zero reason for the Jazz to trade him, and especially not to the Lakers.

Now, though, Kessler is reaching restricted free agency, and it's time for Utah to have to pay up.

Kessler has been extension eligible for a while, and no offer has come. And now, according to reports, he's upset by that. The Athletic notes that Kessler and the Jazz aren't exactly on the…