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Walker Kessler was ‘determined’ to leave the Utah Jazz one way or another

Reports indicate that Walker Kessler was firmly resolved to bypass the Utah Jazz this summer by accepting a qualifying offer and subsequently testing unrestricted free agency in 2027. Despite a previous social media message expressing affection for the franchise and its supporters, his representatives made it clear to organization leaders that he had no intention of remaining with the team.

Front office figures expressed a high valuation of the young center and initially intended to retain him following a major acquisition of Jaren Jackson Jr., but ultimately decided to execute a trade as market value peaked. The situation followed a prior offseason where the big man and the front office failed to reach a rookie contract extension agreement before the deadline, preceded by an injury-shortened campaign.

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