For the last few days, Jazz fans have been hearing rumor after rumor about the contract negotiations between Walker Kessler and the Utah Jazz. In multiple reports, we heard different updates on how the negotiations had left Kessler and his representation frustrated. They expected more than a five-year, $140M offer. Those things are still likely true, but the story took on a life of its own, and it was reaching a point where Jazz fans were becoming frustrated. It was a valid frustration too. Kessler is a valuable
player and was supposedly going to be a part of the core going forward. Now, it felt like Kessler wasn’t as interested in that.
Today, Kessler put some of those worries to rest with a timely Instagram post.
From Kessler:
I’ve seen what’s being said, and I want it to be clear that I have always wanted to be here – I love this city, these fans, my teammates, my coaches – that’s real to me. You don’t grow roots where you don’t want to be
It’s the perfect message from Kessler to assuage Jazz fans who were getting frustrated. Kessler has been a big part of the current Jazz roster and was considered an important, maybe even vital, part of the future.
This has to be a little frustrating to Kessler, who was probably aware that the situation could get tough, but I doubt he wanted it to get to the point where fans would turn on him like what was happening. It very well might have been all his agents doing the negotiating and losing control of the situation. Now, Kessler has taken control of it, and it will likely get the fans and public perception off his back while negotiations continue. It’s not clear how long the negotiations will last, but it is nice to know that Kessler wants to be part of the future. A future that is looking very bright.
