Utah Jazz Finalizing $55 Million Contract Extension with Guard Jordan Clarkson
ESPN – July 2, 2023
In an exciting development for Utah Jazz fans, it has been confirmed that guard Jordan Clarkson is in the final stages of renegotiating his contract with the team. Sources have reported that the negotiations involve a three-year extension worth $55 million. However, the deal cannot be officially finalized until Thursday.
The news, which was first reported by The Athletic, comes after Clarkson’s outstanding performance throughout the previous season. In his age 30 season, Clarkson had a career year, averaging almost 21 points and 4.4 assists per game while shooting an impressive 44.4% from the field. His remarkable contributions played a crucial role in leading the Jazz to compete in the highly competitive Western Conference playoff race.
Clarkson’s ability as a three-level scorer has been widely recognized, with the player ranking among the league leaders in drives per game at 15.6, according to NBA.com. Furthermore, his exceptional shooting accuracy of nearly 70% within 3 feet of the rim adds to his offensive prowess. Clarkson has consistently displayed his talent in putting defenses in difficult situations, boasting a 34% success rate in pull-up 3-pointers last season.
Although primarily operating in a bench role throughout his career, Clarkson excelled as a full-time starter for the Jazz in the past season. Impressively, his average of 15.2 points per game as a reserve is the highest among any player with at least 300 games played off the bench since starters were tracked in 1970-71, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. This achievement was recognized by the NBA when Clarkson earned the Sixth Man of the Year award in the 2020-21 season.
The extension of Clarkson’s contract is undoubtedly a significant move for the Utah Jazz, ensuring the team retains one of its key contributors. Clarkson’s consistent performances and ability to impact games offensively make him a valuable asset for the Jazz as they continue to strive for success in the future.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon contributed to this report.