Jordan Clarkson began his NBA career in one mega-market, and now he could be headed to the other one.
Veteran NBA writer Marc Stein said this week in a post to his Substack that the Knicks have a level of interest in acquiring the Utah Jazz guard Clarkson ahead of the trade deadline. Stein also notes the Knicks’ interest in a trio of other guards they have been linked to in the past — Malcolm Brogdon (Portland), Terry Rozier (Charlotte), and Alec Burks (Detroit).
Clarkson, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2021, would be an especially interesting get. He is having a very strong season in Utah at 31 years old, averaging 17.9 points and a career-high 5.2 assists per game off the bench. Clarkson is signed through 2026 and will make an affordable $14.1 million over each of the next two seasons. He also started his career with the Los Angeles Lakers as a teammate of current Knicks star Julius Randle.
The Knicks do need a sixth man with some scoring punch after trading Immanuel Quickley to Toronto as part of the OG Anunoby deal. Clarkson would be able to work alongside fellow bench pieces Miles McBride (a true point guard) and Josh Hart (who operates as a forward). Meanwhile, the Knicks might be able to send Utah a package based around this talented youngster they are actively working to trade right now.
