It has recently come out that following the hire of Austin Ainge, the Utah Jazz will be active in trade talks for the next few weeks. That could mean players like Jordan Clarkson could be on a new team this offseason. If the Jazz succeed in moving the former Sixth Man of the Year, they could grant him his wish of playing meaningful basketball again.
The Deseret News' Sarah Todd revealed the Jazz players who are likely to be in trade conversations, and Clarkson was unsurprisingly included.
"Numerous league sources have indicated that they believe the Jazz are going to be active over the next several weeks. Many expect that the Jazz are willing to hear offers that would include draft picks in the 2025 draft as well as players on the Jazz’s current roster.
"Obvious candidates for trade would be John Collins, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson, who are all on expiring deals as of the 2025-26 season," Todd wrote.
The game has changed this offseason for Clarkson regarding his trade value. Now he is more tradable than ever because his contract is expiring. The Jazz might not get value for him as a player, but for how team-friendly his expiring deal.
With any luck, Clarkson will find himself on a team that will need someone like him. From the horse's mouth, he admitted that such a scenario would be what he would prefer. In other words, if the Jazz traded him to a team that could use him, they would grant his wish.
Clarkson doesn't want out, but wants to play for a winner
During his exit interview, Clarkson admitted that while he's fine with his role on the Jazz, he doesn't necessarily prefer it that way.
“Whatever is on my plate, I’m taking advantage of it,” Clarkson told reporters during his exit interview. “If that’s being here and being a vet and doing that, do I want that? Probably not. But if that’s what I got to do to be a pro, coming here and work every day and help these young guys develop, that’s just what I got to do.”
Clarkson made it clear that he doesn't want out of Utah, but he would love to play for a team that will play for something next season.
“I would love to be playing meaningful basketball, winning games,” Clarkson said. “Would I love to do that here? For sure, I wouldn’t trade that for nothing. But...you don’t know what’s gonna happen in the summertime or what’s happening next season. But yeah, having a chance to win, I know I could play at a high level and play meaningful games. I think it would mean a lot to me.”
Ever since he signed his extension, it's become more and more obvious Clarkson does not fit with Utah's long-term plans. They have a few young guards on the roster and might get another one in the draft. He has every right to prefer a fresh start.
Clarkson is right to feel this way, and now that the Jazz are reportedly expected to be active in trade talks, they just might give him what he wants and, honestly, what he deserves.