3: Jordan Clarkson
Clarkson, who’s been one of the most productive players in recent years for the Jazz, could very possibly find a new home come July. While the Jazz have seemed to be reluctant to let him go in trade talks for the past few seasons, it may not be up to the Jazz this time.
Clarkson enters the offseason with a pending player option worth 14 million dollars. If this season has shown anything for Jordan Clarkson, it’s that he deserves more than that. With this, you will most likely see Clarkson decline the option.
There then becomes two questions:
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Will the Jazz be willing to give Jordan Clarkson the pay raise he deserves?
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Will Clarkson want to even return to Utah?
The answer to the first question seems to be yes. The team and Clarkson were discussing a potential extension earlier this year, however, those talks did end up stalling. If anything though, it shows that there is at least some mutual interest between Utah and Jordan.
The answer to the second question may be a bit foggier. We don’t know exactly what Clarkson’s intentions are just yet. However, this past January, we got a report from The Monty Show that might have some indications about his future with the club:
According league sources Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson has told the club that if they are unable to agree on an extension he would like to be traded to a playoff contender before the #NBA trade deadline. #TakeNote
— YouTube: The Monty Show (@TheMontyShow) January 12, 2023
Fast-forward to now, the Jazz and Clarkson never did agree to an extension before the trade deadline. The Jazz also never traded him to a contender like he seemingly desired. This just may influence him more to leave Utah this offseason.
Clarkson will be turning 31 in July, still in some of the best years of his career. The eight-year vet may just end up taking his talents elsewhere with better championship aspirations than the Jazz right now.