Walker Kessler Faces Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
Walker Kessler, the center for the Utah Jazz, will undergo left shoulder surgery, sidelining him for the entire 2025/26 NBA season. This decision follows the diagnosis of a torn labrum, as reported by multiple sources including Tony Jones of The Athletic and ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Injury Details
Kessler’s injury occurred during training camp and was recently aggravated, leading to the need for surgery. The procedure is scheduled for Thursday, with the expectation that it will enable him to recover fully for the next season.
Player Background
- Drafted 22nd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
- Traded from Minnesota to Utah during the Rudy Gobert trade.
- Established himself as the Jazz’s starting center.
Career Performance
Last season, Kessler reached new career highs, averaging:
- Points: 11.1 per game
- Rebounds: 12.2 per game
- Assists: 1.7 per game
- Blocks: 2.4 per game
- Offensive rebounds: 4.6 per game (led the NBA)
In the current season, he participated in five games, averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game before sustaining the injury.
Impact on the Team
While Kessler’s absence is unfortunate, it is not expected to dramatically affect the Jazz’s overall performance. The team is considered a likely lottery contender this season. Notably, if they do not secure a top-eight pick, they will lose their 2026 first-round selection.
Contract Situation
Kessler’s contract, valued at $4.88 million for the current season, is set to expire next summer. If the Jazz provide him with a qualifying offer of $7.06 million, he will become a restricted free agent in 2026. The team projects to have considerable cap space available at that time, potentially allowing them to utilize Kessler’s Bird rights for a more substantial contract even after their initial cap room is exhausted.
Next Steps for the Jazz
With Kessler out, several players are expected to step up. Jusuf Nurkic is likely to take on a starting role at center, with Kyle Filipowski and veteran Kevin Love contributing valuable minutes off the bench. Love averaged 15.5 minutes in the last two games since Kessler’s injury.
