Jordan Clarkson and the Utah Jazz were the surprises of the year early in the NBA regular season. Since then, the group has fallen to earth. After spending several weeks as the No. 1 seed in the competitive Western Conference, Utah is now the 10th seed. If the playoffs started today, they would have to try and get through the playoffs. Per BetOnline, Utah has +25,000 odds to win this year’s NBA Finals. Still, the Jazz beat expectations after trading off Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Keeping this in mind, the organization wants to strengthen their current core, considering how bright their future is. They recently offered former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson a contract extension. Unfortunately, Clarkson reportedly turned it down, as did Mark Stein.
Jordan Clarkson has reportedly turned down contract extensions from the Utah Jazz.
Jordan Clarkson’s season so far
While Jordan Clarkson hasn’t had the career year that Lauri Markkanen has, he’s still a solid piece for the Jazz’s secondary. So far this year, he is averaging 20.5 points, 4.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. While there’s still a lot of season left to play, he should know that this is the highest scoring streak in his current career. Clarkson is shooting an effective field goal percentage of 52.8 percent. On top of that, he’s posting a true shooting percentage of 56.4 percent, an assist percentage of 21.5 percent (his highest total since his Los Angeles Lakers days) and a 111 offensive rating. That offensive rating is tied for a career-best so far this year.
Those are interesting numbers when you compare them to the season in which he won the Sixth Man of the Year award. That campaign, Clarkson averaged 18.4 points, 2.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game. He also recorded an effective field goal percentage of 52.2 percent. His true shooting percentage is 54.9 percent with an assist percentage of 15.3 percent. When one looks at the numbers Jordan Clarkson has put up this year, it’s easy to see why he wants to test free agency and where his value is in today’s NBA.
Possible destinations for Jordan Clarkson if he tries free agency
If Jordan Clarkson decides to leave Utah and truly test the free agent waters, there will be plenty of suitors vying for his services. In today’s offensive-oriented league, no team can have much offensive power. That’s Jordan Clarkson, instant disaster. One possible destination is a reunion with his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers desperately need the perimeter shooting that Clarkson can provide. Another team he would be a good fit for is the Dallas Mavericks. What better weapon to have when Luka Doncic needs a breather? Last, but not least would be the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers bench could use some work and Clarkson will certainly improve their chances. Overall, Jordan Clarkson clearly knows his worth by declining his contract extension for good reason.