The Chicago Bulls should hope Utah loves Cameron Boozer, because if the Jazz select him with the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, it would create a logjam in their frontcourt — one that the Bulls should be glad to help fix by signing Walker Kessler in free agency.
It would be a win-win scenario for all parties involved.
Utah would get a generational big man. Chicago could land one of the league's premier rim protectors. The number of zeros in Kessler's bank account would grow.
And this isn't just a keep-your-fingers-crossed scenario for Chicago.
Cameron Boozer should be in play for the Jazz at No. 2
The Washington Wizards are projected to grab BYU forward AJ Dybantsa at No. 1, which should put Boozer squarely in the conversation for Utah one pick later.
The Duke star cleaned up as a freshman, winning the Naismith Award, AP Player of the Year Award and Wooden Award as the clear-cut best player in college basketball.
The son of former Bulls star Carlos Boozer (who's also a Jazz scout) is a Swiss-army knife basketball savant. He may not be the most explosive leaper, the smoothest shot creator or a terrifying rim presence, but he's incredibly skilled and elite at making winning plays.
Losing an interior presence like Kessler wouldn't kill the Jazz if Boozer took his place. Jaren Jackson Jr., who Utah acquired at last season's trade deadline, isn't an elite rebounder. Boozer is.
Lauri Markkanen is a 7-foot iso scorer. Boozer could give him space to go to work in any area of the floor.
Ace Bailey is a 19-year-old shot maker. Boozer could be the bulk and shot creator he needs beside him. He fits just about anywhere because he can do just about everything.
Installing Jackson, a former Defensive Player of the Year who's led the league in blocks twice, behind Boozer would cover up for his deficiencies as a shot blocker.
Essentially, he would make Kessler and the relatively massive contract he'll demand expendable.
Bulls should pursue Walker Kessler in free agency
Quick caveat: Kessler will be a restricted free agent, which means the Jazz can match any contract offer he receives. The Bulls, however, have money to spend, a glaring need at center, and the means to offer Kessler a larger salary and role than Utah would presumably be comfortable giving him.
Kessler has the size — 7-foot-2, 245 pounds with a 7-foot-6 wingspan and 9-foot-5 standing reach — to anchor an NBA defense. He averaged 3.4 blocks per 36 minutes over his first three seasons.
His best year came in 2023-24 when he averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while shooting 70.6 percent on 2-pointers. Between his rebounding, efficiency in the paint and shot-blocking, Kessler simply dominates at the rim.
And as Bulls executive VP of basketball operations, Bryson Graham, covets those SLAP players (size, length, athleticism, physicality), putting someone of Kessler's size next to Caleb Wilson would certainly form a massive and intimidating frontcourt.
If the Jazz do indeed pick Boozer, Kessler makes too much sense for Chicago not to pursue.
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