The last time Jordan Clarkson saw the playoffs was in 2022 with the Utah Jazz. With the New York Knicks, he'll not only get his chance to return to the playoffs, but he also has the chance to go even further than he ever did as a Jazzman. What works well in New York's favor is that he's been in an intense playoff atmosphere before, as he was in Utah. In fact, Clarkson indirectly brought up the Jazz when discussing the Knicks' playoff aspirations.
During a conversation with reporters, Clarkson acknowledged that he has played for two really good teams but also explained why this Knicks team feels different to him.
"I've been a part of two really good teams before…this one feels special…I think we’ve got a lot of pieces, a lot of different weapons…Continue to stack these days…get ready for the playoffs"
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 28, 2025
–– Jordan Clarkson
(📝 Spencer Neal) pic.twitter.com/patdGY9K74
For context, the other team Clarkson indirectly singles out here is the Cleveland Cavaliers, who went to the NBA Finals in his first half-season with the team in 2018.
Of course, the big difference between his role on the Cavaliers back then compared to what his role became with the Jazz is very stark. Clarkson barely played in Cleveland's latest finals run, but he was a huge factor in Utah's three playoff runs from 2020 to 2022.
It wasn't always perfect, but Clarkson at least did all that he could of what the Jazz asked of him. Even if they didn't reach the heights they wanted to, their failures weren't primarily on Clarkson's shoulders. Props to him for still respecting those days with the Jazz, even if, internally, the team wasn't always in the best place, despite making the postseason.
Waiving Clarkson was best for both parties
Seeing the Jazz waive Clarkson wasn't exactly a pretty sight when many had hoped Utah would trade him for as much value as possible. Even if his time as a Jazzman didn't end the way many would have liked, it was beneficial for both sides.
Clarkson gets the chance he deserves to show out for one of the NBA's best team while he's still in his prime, and the Jazz have gotten to see Keyonte George unleashed at full throttle. That may not have been the case if Utah had kept the former Sixth Man of the Year.
Sure, the writing had been on the wall for years that the two sides were better off parting ways, and in hindsight, the Jazz definitely regret giving him that extension, but, at the very least, these situations typically get ugly, but it never did with Clarkson, and now he and his former team are happier for it.
The Knicks may very well go on a deeper run with Clarkson than the Jazz ever did, but even if that's the case, the Jazz will be happy to see one of their former good soldiers succeed.