Without a rookie-scale extension from the Utah Jazz, Walker Kessler is slated to hit the restricted free agent market next summer.

Lauri Markkanen and the Utah Jazz will face DeMar DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings in this NBA matchup on Friday night at the Golden 1 Center.

Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith has agreed to a two-year, $40.4 million contract extension with the franchise through the 2028-29 season, plus a trade kicker, agent Mike Lindeman of Excel Sports Management tells ESPN. Pacers give Nesmith the max allowed salary via extension. pic.twitter.com/c5zUYN3yj6

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/jazz as Utah Jazz Reveal Walker Kessler’s Status for Final Preseason Game. The Utah Jazz will finally have their starting big man back in the rotation for their final preseason game vs. the Portland Trail Blazers.

At the end of the 2024-25 season, there was a push from the Utah Jazz coaching staff for Walker Kessler to take at least six 3-pointers per game. It wasn’t about him making shots. Rather, it was about finding the right times in a game when a 3 made sense and finding comfortability in getting those shots off.

The fourth-year center returned from a bruised shoulder to help Utah to a 132-129 win over Portland Thursday at the Delta Center to wrap up preseason play.

The Utah Jazz claimed a victory in their final preseason game of the year thanks to a big night from Walker Kessler.