Utah

Jazz

Two days after The Athletic reported that Kessler was frustrated with the Jazz front office as free agency approaches, more details emerged regarding the contract offered by Utah. According to MacMahon, Utah proposed an offer worth close to $140 million over five years. However, while this would be the most lucrative contract ever given to a center who had yet to make an All-Star team, there are still hard feelings between Kessler and the Jazz front office. In Monday’s report, Kessler not receiving an extension before the start of the 2025-26 season was cited as a factor, and it’s another issue the two sides will need to work through if they want to move forward as partners.

Kessler, limited to five games this season after suffering a shoulder injury, will be a restricted free agent on June 30. While the Jazz can match any offer sheet that Kessler agrees to, they can also negotiate with the center before he hits the open market. However, according to Amick’s reporting, Kessler is not pleased with the franchise essentially leveraging his pending restricted free agency against the 7-footer. As a result, he’s reportedly more willing to consider the idea of playing elsewhere. Given the need for rim protectors, there will be a market for Kessler at the end of the month. After not offering him an extension last fall, the Jazz seem content to see what Kessler’s price will be before deciding on his future with the franchise, especially with Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. on large contracts. Wherever he plays next season, a healthy Kessler has top-50 fantasy potential, especially for those willing to punt free-throw percentage.

The anti-tanking rules are a direct response to obvious and egregious tanking by teams looking to secure the most favorable draft position in the 2026 NBA lottery, including the Jazz, Grizzlies and Pacers. Among the new rules are: lessened odds of getting the top pick for the bottom-3 teams, expanding the draft lottery to 16 teams, flattened odds to get the top pick and limitations to consecutive No. 1 and top-5 selections.

The Wizards will be followed by the Jazz, Grizzlies and Bulls in the top four of the draft order. Washington had a 14 percent chance of landing the first overall pick, which was tied with Indiana and Brooklyn for best odds under the current lottery system. AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Darryn Petterson are among the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Mbeng played all 48 minutes for the second time in his last three games. During this stretch, he averaged 22.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 4.3 steals in 44.7 minutes per game. It has been an impressive run for Mbeng, who signed standard contract last week after playing on two 10-day deals. However, if they do keep him around next season, he won’t play that large of a role.

Tshiebwe was a monster on the glass for a second straight game, but it was his offensive production that was most impressive. He shattered his previous career high of 18 points, which he set during Game 82 last season. Tshiebwe is an incredibly talented rebounder, but he has never gotten the chance to play rotation minutes consistently prior to silly season. That likely won’t change next season, but if it does, he can contribute in fantasy basketball.

Sensabaugh is back after sitting out Friday’s blowout win over the Grizzlies. He’s capable of putting up big numbers, but the Jazz may look to limit the wing’s minutes to protect their draft lottery odds. The Jazz and Kings go into Sunday with matching 22-59 records, tied for fourth-worst in the league. Sacramento visits Portland, which secures the No. 8 seed with a victory.

Filipowski will remain out due to lower back injury management. Oscar Tshiebwe has been the starting center recently, and that’s likely to remain the case on Sunday. Filipowski’s absence also frees up playing time for Blake Hinson, who went off for 30 points in Friday’s win over the Grizzlies.

The continued absences of Harkless and Collier free up minutes for Bez Mbeng and Hayden Gray, with Gray having agreed to a rest-of-season contract on Saturday. Kennedy Chandler, who played 41 minutes in Friday’s win over the Grizzlies, is a free agent after his second 10-day contract expired.

Gray joins the Jazz after averaging 10.5 points and 6.6 assists per game with the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League. With Kennedy Chandler’s second 10-day contract expiring, the 6-foot-4 guard out of UC San Diego may play rotation minutes in Sunday’s season finale against the Lakers.