DEVASTATING - Walker Kessler OUT FOR SEASON: What It Means for the Jazz and Their Future

Walker Kessler faces season-ending shoulder surgery, shaking up the Utah Jazz’s plans. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, breaks down the impact of losing Kessler not just on the court, but on the team’s defensive identity and young player development. Locke outlines how Kessler’s absence disrupts the Jazz’s rim protection and defensive schemes, spotlighting troubling trends as opponents attack the paint with increasing success. He weighs the long-term ramifications for Kessler’s contract negotiations and explains why this injury is a setback for both the player and franchise, despite the timing arguably being less damaging to Kessler's future value. The episode analyzes how Kessler’s injury strains Utah’s offensive game plan, with key players Lowry Markkanen and Keyonte George needing help as scouting reports stymie their early-season success. Locke scrutinizes Yusuf Nurkic’s limitations as a rolling big and questions who can relieve the offensive burden when handoff and off-ball screening actions falter against aggressive defenses. The discussion highlights the importance of pick-and-roll chemistry and reps, emphasizing that Walker Kessler’s development alongside George is crucial for the Jazz’s evolution. With team adjustments looming, Locke asks: Can the Utah Jazz find answers as scouting catches up, or will the loss of Walker Kessler redefine their competitive prospects this season? 00:00 "Utah Jazz: Walker's Surgery Update" 03:09 Walker’s Injury Impact on Jazz 06:48 Walker Kessler's Growing Impact 10:42 Defensive Struggles and Fixes 15:26 Jazz Screening Impact and Success 18:13 Offensive Challenges and Adjustments 20:29 Creative Defenses in the NBA 24:00 Jusuf Nurkic's Offensive Struggles 28:09 Nurkic's Impact as Backup Big Locked On Jazz Podcast 💻 https://www.lockedonjazz.net Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOJazz?sid=YouTube Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA Follow David Locke on Twitter: 📲 https://twitter.com/DLocke09 #NBA #UtahJazz #WillHardy #DannyAinge #jordanclarkson #laurimarkkanen Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! DoorDash Next time someone goes off for 50, use promo code NBA50 the next day to get 50% off on DoorDash with DashPass — plus your shot at the Bag Drop. DashPass members only. 50% off up to $10 the day after a 50-point game with promo code. Terms apply. No Purchase Necessary. Ends April 13th. Open to U.S. residents 21 or older. Visit DoorDashInYourBag.com for full details. DoorDash — In your bag all season long. Robinhood You expect more from yourself. Expect more from your money. Get started today at robinhood.com/yourmoney. Your money. Your move. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Options, futures, and crypto trading carry significant risk and may not suit all investors. Securities offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, member SIPC. Futures trading is offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC and not SPIC or FDIC protected. Crypto offered through Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840), not FDIC or SIPC protected. Portfolio management offered by Robinhood Strategies, an SEC-registered advisor. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Right now, new customers can bet just FIVE dollars and if your bet wins—you’ll get THREE HUNDRED dollars in bonus bets to use across the app. Download the FanDuel app now by visiting https://FanDuel.com to get started FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.