Wednesday afternoon, the Utah Jazz announced that center Walker Kessler, a former Auburn basketball star, will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season due to injury. Kessler suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will undergo surgery.
The injury creates a sense of uncertainty for Kessler, who was not signed to an extension in the offseason, which generated rumors that he could potentially be up for trading. He's set to be a restricted free agent next summer after not coming to a contract agreement with the Jazz, and the injury will likely impact his value to other teams after the season.
Kessler was averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists this season and was shooting at 70.3 percent from the field. He missed the last two games for the Jazz while dealing with what the team said was shoulder bursitis.
Utah's Walker Kessler is undergoing season-ending left shoulder surgery for a torn labrum, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 5, 2025
The Jazz are off to a 3-4 start this season, and Kessler's role as starting center will now be handed off to Jusuf Nurkić.
Walker Kessler played at Auburn under Bruce Pearl alongside Jabari Smith Jr. on the Tigers' 2021-22 team. He was chosen by the Utah Jazz as the 22nd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Prior to Auburn, he played at UNC. He was in his fourth season in the NBA.