​The Knicks have decided to bring back Jordan Clarkson, confirming a one-year deal worth $3.9 million on Thursday, as reported by SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley. In his first season with New York, Clarkson appeared in 72 regular-season games after joining the team last offseason on a veteran minimum contract. He posted averages of 8.6 points per game in the regular season and 4.9 points per game during the playoffs, contributing as a veteran presence off the bench.
Clarkson arrived in New York with the expectation of providing a scoring punch off the bench. In the six seasons prior with the Utah Jazz, he averaged an impressive 17.5 points per game while coming off the pine, a stretch that included earning the Sixth Man of the Year award for the 2020-21 season. Despite that prior success, his role with the Knicks never quite mirrored the scale of his bench scoring exploits with Utah.
During the 2023-24 campaign with the Knicks, Clarkson’s minutes were his lowest in his career, averaging just 17.8 minutes per game. Yet, he still contributed efficiently when on the floor, recording a field-goal percentage of 45.1% and a three-point percentage of 32.7%. These figures reflect his ability to factor into a team’s offense even with a reduced role, and his presence helped maintain depth and versatility off the bench in a roster that valued chemistry and veteran leadership.
Clarkson’s NBA journey spans 12 seasons and has included stints with the Knicks, Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers. Across his career, he has averaged 15.3 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, and 2.8 assists per game. His scoring ability, combined with his experience in winning environments, positions him as a valuable asset for the Knicks as they build around their core and seek continued success in the upcoming season.
In this latest move, the Knicks reaffirm their interest in Clarkson as a reliable scorer and veteran presence who can deliver offense in bursts and contribute to team culture. The one-year, $3.9 million contract underscores a low-risk, potentially high-reward approach, allowing New York to retain a seasoned guard who can adapt to changing roles and provide leadership in the locker room. If Clarkson can replicate even a portion of his prior efficiency and maintain solid shot selection, he could again be a meaningful contributor off the bench and a steady option for the Knicks in crunch time.
For fans and analysts, Clarkson’s return signals a continued emphasis on depth and experience, as the Knicks look to optimize rotations and maximize the strengths of their core players. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on how Clarkson integrates with the system, how his minutes are managed, and whether he can recapture the scoring punch that made him a notable Sixth Man award winner in years past.