Jazz C Walker Kessler 2024 Defensive Player of Year Odds Revealed

Expectations for Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler are high this upcoming season.

The oddsmakers are giving second-year Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler a puncher's chance to win Defensive Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season. DraftKings currently has Kessler’s odds set at 25-1 odds to take home the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy.

Leading the pack are 2023 DPOY Jaren Jackson and Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley at 6-1 odds. Also, ex-Jazzman Rudy Gobert is projected at 14-1 odds to win the award for what would be the fourth time in his career.

Kessler began his rookie campaign on the bench in Salt Lake City, but by season’s end, he started nearly half of the Jazz’s games, putting up solid numbers. He averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game — averaging a double-double in the games he started.

Kessler cruised to being selected to the NBA All-rookie team, and he will be a key piece in Utah’s quest for their first NBA Championship. That said, there’s still work to be done if the second-year pro is going to reach his full potential. Kessler elaborated on what he’ll be spending time on in the offseason.

“Obviously, with my game just focusing on getting better as a basketball player,” Kessler said during his end-of-season presser. “Right now, specifically a lot of free throws. So I’ll be spending time on that. Just keep mastering what I do, especially in the pick-and-roll scenario as that dunker.”

Indeed, being a more efficient free throw shooter will help Utah late in games. In his rookie campaign, Kessler only shot 51.6%. Those are similar numbers that Gobert (48.6%) shot in his first year with the Jazz.

Kessler will also play on the international stage for the first time in his young career next month. Being the only center rostered, fans can expect Kessler to be an important part of Team USA’s success.

Jazz fans can catch Kessler in action when the FIBA Cup starts on August 25.

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