The Utah Jazz and Walker Kessler reportedly won’t finalize a rookie-scale contract extension, per The Athletic’s Tony Jones. With the center’s future in Utah uncertain, LA Lakers fans on X grew excited at the possibility of landing Kessler.According to Jones, Kessler is expected to hit restricted free agency next summer and allow the market to set his value. He is coming off a career-best 2024-25 season, his third year in the league, averaging 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and a league-leading 4.6 offensive rebounds per game.Lakers fans couldn’t hide their enthusiasm about the idea of adding Kessler, who has long been linked to the franchise.“So he’s a Laker,” one said.“Omg he is a Laker😂😂😂,” another said.“Just f**king trade him to LA,” another commented.This offseason, the Lakers retooled their frontcourt by adding Deandre Ayton and re-signing Jaxson Hayes. Still, with Kessler far more productive than both, fans only fueled the speculation.²³𝙻𝚎𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜🏀☄️🌎💞 @BronGotGameLINKwow he’s rlly a lakerAtagun Zengin @AtagunZeng464LINKThat's a surprise, he's been so solid for them. Feels like a situation where another team might swoop in. Reminds me a bit of the Isaiah Hartenstein thing, hope it works out better than that for the Jazz.VegasCheesehead @Shady_JustinLINKInteresting. He’s young and has potential.The Lakers also project to have cap space next summer, a factor Jones highlighted in his report:“Currently, there are a limited number of teams that project to have cap space. One team is the Los Angeles Lakers, which has been a past admirer of Kessler’s. In that sense, there could be pressure on the Jazz to have a prospective offer ready for Kessler at or near the start of free agency.”More on Walker Kessler’s contract situation with UtahAccording to Jones, the Utah Jazz still see Walker Kessler as a franchise cornerstone, but they want to maintain financial flexibility.“By not signing Kessler now, he would have a cap hold of $14.9 million next summer, which would give the Jazz enough space to keep Kessler’s hold and still do work in free agency,” Jones wrote.Utah could then circle back and sign Kessler using his Bird rights to exceed the cap. Extending him now, however, would tie them to a set cap figure under his new deal and limit future options.“If Utah extends Kessler now, his cap hold would be whatever that contract dictates, which could make the franchise less flexible from a money standpoint,” Jones wrote.Walker Kessler has been Utah’s starting center since the team traded Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves.