Jordan Clarkson Chose Jazz Over ‘Glamour Market’ Teams
Nov 30, 2020, 12:36 PM | Updated: Dec 2, 2020, 3:02 pm
Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz warms up for the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 28, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Shortly after the NBA free agency window reopened on November 18, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski announced the Utah Jazz had reached an agreement to re-sign guard Jordan Clarkson.
According to Jazz vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey, Clarkson chose to return to Utah over other, higher-profile teams in the NBA.
In his first meeting with the media since free-agency opened, Lindsey spoke about Clarkson’s decision and what he brings to the Jazz.
“Jordan Clarkson was a very significant free agent,” Lindsey said. “He had big market glamour market options. He wanted to come back.”
Dennis Lindsey on the @UtahJazz re-signing Jordan Clarkson.
"Jordan Clarkson was a very significant free agent. He had big market, glamour market options. He wanted to come back."
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 30, 2020
The Jazz acquired Clarkson last December in a trade that sent former lottery pick Dante Exum and two second-round picks to Cleveland in exchange for the high-scoring sixth man.
After joining the Jazz, Clarkson played the best basketball of his career, averaging 15.6 points on a career-high .548 effective field goal percentage, and proving he could carry an offensive load on a playoff-caliber team.
That level of performance earned the Jazz the blessing from All-Star teammate Donovan Mitchell to keep Clarkson in the fold in Utah.
The @UtahJazz and Jordan Clarkson have agreed to a 4-year/$52 million contract extension according to @wojespn. #TakeNote https://t.co/FXFSzsxJ4l
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 21, 2020
“Part of my conversation with Donovan Mitchell when we were talking [included] bringing Jordan back and Donovan really co-signed on that decision,” Lindsey said.
While Clarkson has a dangerous weapon with the ball in his hands, his impact on the Jazz reached even further off the court.
“Jordan added not only a very significant scoring piece off the bench but really a conduit to relationships amongst players and coaches and health performance,” Lindsey added.
Tough stepback trey.
Beat shot-clock off one leg.
Jordan Clarkson! 🔥#NBAPlayoffs on ESPN pic.twitter.com/aZMsfx8PaL— NBA (@NBA) August 17, 2020
Earlier this season, Jazz coach Quin Snyder echoed Lindsey’s sentiments.
“He’s a selfless guy. He’s had a huge impact on our team our chemistry, our connection.” Snyder said. “Everybody likes JC. It’s more than likes him, I think people appreciate him, and it’s not often you get to a coach a guy that’s as authentic as he is.”
Clarkson’s deal with the Jazz is for a reported four years and $52 million.
