The Utah Jazz’s future is hazy, and no one has a clear picture of what the coming season would look like for fans who hope to see the team make long postseason runs similar to the team’s Malone-Stockton years.
The Jazz are huge favorites to bag the first overall pick after an abysmal 17-win season that ranks them even worse than the Washington Wizards. With the team holding such a record, it makes sense that the front office is openly considering trading every valuable player for draft picks and cap space.
One player who might get the boot is Jordan Clarkson. The 32-year-old forward is too old for the Jazz’s ideal age range for their rebuild, so his name getting mentioned in trade rumors makes sense.
However, it seems like the high-scoring guard is more than okay with staying in Salt Lake City after a recent statement made his stance with the franchise clear.
Jordan Clarkson talks about his willingness to participate in the Utah Jazz rebuild
Clarkson knows that he could be on his way out of Utah should the team decide to trade him. However, he revealed in an interview with The Deseret News’ Sarah Todd that he’s more than willing to play the final year of his contract in Utah.
“Whatever is on my plate, I’m taking advantage of it,” Clarkson told 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.”
Even if it seems like Clarkson will willingly take on the friendly vet role for Cooper Flagg, he also stated that he’s eager to play “meaningful basketball.” It makes sense for him to make such a statement, as he’s at the tail end of his athletic peak with no silverware to show for his efforts. He’s put up incredible numbers for Jazz since joining them in the 2019-20 season, so it’s frustrating for him to not have a ring to show for his efforts.
Clarkson will enter the 2025-26 season coming off a foot injury that sidelined him for more than half the season. His absence was greatly felt in the Jazz’s roster, as his season averages of 16.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 41%/36%/80% shooting splits could have helped the team win more games.
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