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SALT LAKE CITY — Jordan Clarkson is reportedly finalizing a contract renegotiation with the Jazz that will keep him in Utah through the 2025-26 season, according to The Athletic.
Clarkson is now set to make $55 million over the next three seasons, an average of $18 million per year. Clarkson had a player option for $14.2 million that he opted into last week.
The new deal gets him closer to what he could have earned on the open market, and continues a partnership that has been fruitful for both sides.
Clarkson is the longest-tenured Jazz player, and has been with the team since being traded to Utah in December 2019 for former No. 5 pick Dante Exum. (Exum, meanwhile, agreed to a guaranteed contract with the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday after two stellar seasons in Europe).
Clarkson immediately transformed the Jazz bench upon arriving in Utah, and was named Sixth Man of the Year in 2021 after helping Utah clinch the best record in the league.
In the process, Clarkson has established himself as a favorite among fans and ownership, with Jazz governor Ryan Smith reportedly nixing trade discussions that included Clarkson last offseason.
After establishing himself as among the best bench scorers in the NBA, Clarkson stepped into a new role in the Jazz's starting lineup last season. He showed off a more well-rounded game. He set career highs in scoring and facilitating, and finished the year averaging 20.8 points, 4.4 assists and 4.0 rebounds. He was the second-leading scorer and one of the leading assist men for a surprising offensive attack under new coach Will Hardy.
The new deal will keep Clarkson under contract through his prime (he'll turn 34 after the last year of his deal). It provides a raise for Clarkson, but should be an easily traded contract, as well.
In the end, it appears to be a good deal for parties involved.
The Jazz have a lot of potential depth in the backcourt — even if they are still lacking a true lead guard.
Collin Sexton will enter his second year of his four-year deal with the Jazz (and Utah was thrilled he made it through the first without reaggravating the torn meniscus he suffered the season before he joined the team). Talen Horton-Tucker opted into the final year of his contract, and the Jazz were impressed with how Kris Dunn closed the season.
The organization liked the development of Ochai Agbaji during his rookie season, and the Jazz just drafted two scoring guards in Keyonte George and Brice Sensabaugh with first-round picks.
