Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson expressed uncertainty about his future with the team following their early exit from the NBA playoffs. The Jazz were eliminated in the second round by the Los Angeles Clippers in a series that saw them blow a 25-point lead in Game 6, ultimately losing the series 4-2.
Clarkson, who won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award this season, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Speaking to reporters after the loss, Clarkson said that he loved playing in Utah and enjoyed the camaraderie of his teammates, but acknowledged that he didn’t know what the future held.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Clarkson said. “I love it here in Utah, but at the same time, I’ve got to do what’s best for me and my family. It’s definitely going to be a decision that we’ll have to make.”
Clarkson was a key contributor for the Jazz this season, averaging 18.4 points per game off the bench and helping the team secure the top seed in the Western Conference. However, his struggles in the playoffs, particularly in the second round against the Clippers, may factor into the team’s decision on whether to re-sign him.
The Jazz acquired Clarkson in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in December 2019, and he quickly established himself as a fan favorite in Utah. His energetic style of play and dynamic scoring ability made him a valuable asset off the bench, and he quickly became a key piece of the team’s rotation.
But with the team’s early exit from the playoffs, questions have arisen about the Jazz’s future, and whether they will be able to retain key players like Clarkson. The team is already facing a potentially tricky offseason, with a number of players set to hit free agency, including All-Star guard Mike Conley and veteran wing player Bojan Bogdanovic.
For Clarkson, the uncertainty surrounding his future is just the latest challenge in what has been a rollercoaster career in the NBA. After being drafted in the second round by the Washington Wizards in 2014, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent the first four seasons of his career.
He then played for the Cavaliers for a year and a half before being traded to the Jazz, where he has found a home and established himself as one of the league’s top bench players. But with his contract set to expire and his future uncertain, Clarkson now faces an important decision about where he will play next season and beyond.
The coming weeks will be critical for the Jazz, as they look to regroup and make another run at a championship next season. Whether or not Clarkson is a part of that future remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the team will need to make some tough decisions this offseason as they look to build a team that can compete at the highest level.
