Walker Kessler will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery to fix a torn labrum, according to sources on Wednesday. Renowned surgeon Dr Neal ElAttrache, who has worked with a number of well-known players, will perform the procedure on Thursday in Los Angeles.
Since training camp, Kessler, the Utah Jazz’s fourth-year center, has been dealing with this issue, missing three of the team’s four preseason games.
Kessler’s shoulder bursitis made matters worse, and he recently hurt the area again while playing against the Phoenix Suns.
The Jazz star will not be able to play the rest of the NBA season because recovery following the surgery is anticipated to take until April. Given that Kessler will enter the offseason as a restricted free agent following the end of the 2025-26 season, this timing has important ramifications for his contract status.
Kessler had a strong start to the season before getting hurt, averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.4 steals per contest. Since a contract extension had not been decided upon before the start of the season, he had hoped that a successful showing this season would support his case.
Impact on Future Negotiations
The timing of Kessler’s injury is particularly unfortunate for both him and the Jazz. While the team had previously considered trade options to manage his cap hold, the injury may limit interest from other teams. Kessler expressed disappointment regarding the stalled extension talks and was optimistic about showcasing his skills this season.
Kessler is anticipated to make a full recovery, potentially improving his range of motion post-rehabilitation. The Utah Jazz will now focus on supporting Kessler through his recovery while reassessing their roster strategy moving forward.