While Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler had been mentioned in trade rumors over the summer, it isn't an indication that his franchise wants to part ways, although the Jazz didn't extend his contract. It just wasn't in the best interest of Utah to do so from a business standpoint, as one source revealed to The Athletic.

No extension clears a path for Kessler to head toward restricted free agency next summer, when one of the NBA's better young defensive centers and rim protectors will hit the open market. The Jazz highly value Kessler as a franchise cornerstone, but were reluctant to ink the 24-year-old to a five-year extension for a key reason, according to The Athletic's Tony Jones.

“The answer is simple: money. And the NBA is a business,” Jones wrote. “The Jazz see themselves trying

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