Jordan Clarkson Sets The Record Straight On Extension Talks

Word making the rounds earlier this month was that Jordan Clarkson had spurned the Utah Jazz's extension offer. The former Sixth Man of the Year, who can become a free agent this summer, would like to set the record straight on that. 

JC says his camp hasn't received any offer from the Jazz, but makes known where his heart 💙 is #NBA By @KarloSacamos https://t.co/8pydQS8xix

— SPIN.ph (@spinph) January 16, 2023

Clarkson denies turning down an extension offer from the Jazz:

I’ve really had no communication in terms of extension from my side or my team that I know of. 

And if those talks are happening, sometime soon, I would love to be here in Utah, continue to play with my teammates further.

JC, as he's affectionately known in Utah, has made it clear that he would love to stay with the Jazz. And Jazz CEO Danny Ainge says the feeling is mutual. 

(video via @kslsports) @JJSportsBeat asked Danny Ainge & Ryan Smith about Jordan Clarkson & the contract extension situation

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.#JazzNation #UtahJazz #TakeNote#JordanClarkson #Team49#NBA pic.twitter.com/OYDqnHSXiC

— JazzNation (@JazzNationNews) January 9, 2023

"We like Jordan a lot," said Ainge. "What a kick we get out of him and his talents." 

The problem is the NBA's current rules under the CBA that govern extensions. 

Teams are only able to offer contract extensions worth 120% of the final year of a player's contract. With his $13.34M player option for next season, that would mean the most the Jazz could offer would be a contract worth $16M in the first year of a new deal, and a total of 4 years, $71M. Clearly, Clarkson, and the rest of the league, no doubt, feels that he's worth more than that. 

NBA Insider Marc Stein has reported that Clarkson is looking for a new contract in the range of $18-$20M per year. That would have to come in the summer, once he opts out and becomes a free agent.  

“If the summer comes and it’s nothing else or it’s not an agreement or anything comes through, we just have to wait and see,” said the 9-year veteran. "I can’t tell that far in the future, but in terms of right now, I don’t think there’s really been much talking.”

Clarkson is having a career year this season in Utah, with personal highs of 21.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists, while also shooting 35% from three (the only one of those numbers that's not a career-high). 

Photo: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports