Jazz unlikely to extend Kessler before season; Kings sign Elmore, Mavericks waive Hodge
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Contract talks between the Utah Jazz and center Walker Kessler have stalled, the Sacramento Kings have added guard Jon Elmore on an Exhibit 10 deal, and the Dallas Mavericks have released guard DMoi Hodge ahead of training camp.
Jazz
According to The Athletic, Utah does not expect to finalize a rookie-scale extension with Kessler before opening night despite holding several meetings during the summer. The club has a formal offer on the table, but the two sides remain far apart on terms.
If no agreement is reached, Kessler will enter the 2025 offseason as a restricted free agent. From a salary-cap standpoint, the Jazz would carry a projected $14.9 million cap hold for the 7-footer in 2026—significantly lower than the first-year salary of a new extension—giving the front office additional flexibility.
Utah continues to view the 22-year-old as a cornerstone on defense. In 58 healthy appearances last season, Kessler averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. Several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, are expected to have cap space next summer, making Utah’s eventual offer amount critical.
Kings
Sacramento has signed Elmore, 29, to an Exhibit 10 contract, The Spot Up Shot reported. The 6-3 guard went undrafted out of Marshall in 2019 and has since played in the G League and in Italy, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania and Turkey.
Elmore split last season between the Stockton Kings and Manisa Basket in Turkey. With Stockton, he posted 10.4 points and 4.8 assists over 34 games. Exhibit 10 language allows Sacramento to convert the deal to a two-way contract or waive him and direct him back to Stockton; remaining with the G League affiliate for 60 days would trigger an $85,300 bonus.
He joins Terence Davis as the Kings’ second Exhibit 10 addition. Sacramento already has all three two-way slots filled. Separately, the Kings and Golden State Warriors have re-engaged in discussions involving forward Jonathan Kuminga.
Mavericks
The Mavericks have released Hodge, 24, whose non-guaranteed contract also contained Exhibit 10 provisions, according to the league’s transaction log. The 6-4 wing went undrafted in 2023 out of Missouri and later signed a two-way deal with the Lakers, appearing in seven NBA games and averaging 2.0 points.
Hodge spent most of last season with Aris Thessaloniki in Greece, where he averaged 7.1 points in EuroCup play. He is expected to report to the Texas Legends, Dallas’ G League affiliate; staying for 60 days would make him eligible for the standard $85,300 Exhibit 10 bonus.
Source: Hoops Wire
