In a way, it's been a rough go of it for Jordan Clarkson in the sense that he's right in his prime, but he's been playing for a team that probably should have gotten rid of him almost three years ago. At the same time, the Utah Jazz are still paying him solid money.
There's been two-way loyalty between Clarkson and the Jazz for the last several years. Even though he hasn't played for a playoff team in Utah since 2022, he made it clear that he wanted to be more of a mentor for the Jazz's younger players.
Clarkson has embraced Utah even as they are now fully transitioning to a rebuild. However, during his exit press conference, he did not hold back when discussing his role on the Jazz and what he wants.
“Whatever is on my plate, I’m taking advantage of it,” Clarkson told reporters, as transcribed by The Deseret News' Sarah Todd . “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.”
It didn't stop there. Clarkson made it clear what he would love to do going forward, whether that's in Utah or not.
“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.”
Everything that Clarkson says here is fully understandable. He's 32 years old, which isn't too old for him to still be in the rotation of a playoff contender. Even if he doesn't mind being a mentor for the team's younger players, he's better cast as a scoring spark on a winner like he was during his earlier days in Utah.
So where do the Jazz go with Clarkson?
At this point, Clarkson's trade value may stem more from his current contract than from what he brings to the basketball court, but not because of any decline on his part as a player. Next season, he'll be on an expiring contract, which could be used to acquire a worse contract with draft assets and/or young players attached.
If the Jazz are prioritizing their rebuild going forward, that would be the best way to cash in on Clarkson if that's the plan, especially since no teams expressed much interest in him ever since he got extended. There were some rumors floating Clarkson to Denver, but nothing came of it.
There has been a strong outcry for the Jazz to ship Clarkson out of town, but it's not because he doesn't live up to what Utah is paying him. He has been a good sport and has made it clear that he's had no issues with the team.
In fact, Clarkson has been through it all in Utah. He's been part of a tumultuous locker room, then part of a Western Conference contender, then down to a bottom-feeder in a six-and-a-half-year span. It doesn't sound like he's pushing for a fresh start, but it sounds like he's ready for one.