Walker Kessler, the center for the Utah Jazz, has concluded his season prematurely, after participating in only five contests. The 24-year-old will be undergoing surgery on his left shoulder to address a torn labrum, effectively ending his 2025-26 season with the team, as officially communicated.
Prior to leaving the team mid-road trip due to this injury, Kessler had competed in the team’s opening five regular season games. The team initially reported that Kessler had gone back to Utah to receive additional testing on his shoulder.
Kessler subsequently missed the following two games before the announcement on Wednesday that surgery would be necessary.
Previously, Kessler had also been sidelined for a considerable part of the preseason due to an issue concerning his left shoulder.
The injury has unfortunately occurred at a crucial juncture for Kessler, as he was in the concluding year of his rookie contract with the Jazz. There were multiple discussions between Kessler and the Jazz about a potential contract extension during the offseason, but reports indicate that the two sides were considerably apart in negotiations.
During media day in October, Kessler commented on the situation, expressing that he was “a little frustrated” by the inability to reach an agreement with the team. He reiterated his fondness for being in Utah and his commitment to “play winning basketball” as long as he remained with the team.
Despite the ongoing situation, Kessler commenced the regular season with the Jazz. In the five games he played, he achieved a career-high average of 14.4 points. Additionally, Kessler contributed 10.8 rebounds and three assists before sustaining the injury.
While there was a chance that his performance could have secured him a long-term extension from the Jazz during the season, Kessler could also have been a valuable asset for trades had he continued to maintain strong numbers. Various NBA teams have expressed interest in acquiring Kessler from the Jazz, but they have been consistently rejected. If Utah had concerns about re-signing Kessler, they might have ultimately yielded and traded him closer to the deadline.
This injury now introduces an element of uncertainty regarding Kessler’s upcoming contract. Even with positive medical evaluations, Kessler’s market value may be affected, given that he only participated in five games during his contract year.
Kessler will need to consider whether to accept a long-term agreement that fulfills his requirements or to pursue a shorter-term contract that could position him more favorably in the future.
