Jazz G Jordan Clarkson ‘Would Welcome a Trade’ to Knicks per Insider

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson's days may be numbered in Salt Lake City.

It’s that time of the year to start refreshing your social media feeds. The NBA trade deadline is this Thursday, and the rumors circulating around the Utah Jazz continue to trickle in.

The latest comes from Jazz beat writer Tony Jones of The Athletic, who was asked if Jordan Clarkson would be open to the idea of being traded to the New York Knicks when he joined ESPN 700’s The Drive with Spence Checketts.

"I can tell you just from my conversations with people around the situation, I think that Jordan [Clarkson] would welcome a trade [to the Knicks] if that’s how it would go down. There’s another team out west he would welcome a trade to. I'm not going to say the name of that team and the reason why I'm not going to say the name of that team is because there’s very little chance of that trade happening."

Tony Jones(@TJonesOnTheNBA) on Jazz vs PHI, looming trade deadline, Knicks rolling + more https://t.co/SQegwBMiPO

— ESPN 700 | 92.1 (@ESPN700) February 2, 2024

For some time now, it has seemed that if Clarkson is dealt, the most likely destination would be the Knicks. The Knicks are emerging as contenders this season, while the Jazz are still multiple pieces away from being considered a threat in the postseason. The sooner the Jazz can get closure on the matter, the better it's going to be for all parties involved. 

As for the team Jones wouldn't mention, one would have to think that it could be the Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State Warriors. Both teams could use a spark plug coming off the bench but can't compete with the Knicks regarding what they can offer in an exchange.

That said, not all Jazz fans would be on board with a Clarkson departure. He is Utah's most tenured player and has voiced a desire to remain in Salt Lake City. 

However, the time to make something happen could never be better. Utah still has a log jam at the guard position, and sometimes less is more. It also appears that the trade rumors may be affecting Clarkson's play on the court.

Over the last seven games, Clarkson has shot 4-for-32 from long distances while also turning the ball over 2,14 times per contest. The uncertainty of what will ultimately happen with Clarkson just may be taking its toll. Jones elaborated on the subject in his conversation with Checketts.

"From where I sit, I see a guy that's really distracted and knows by next Thursday he could be uprooting his life and moving somewhere else, and I think that's kind of crept into his play and think that's why you're seeing some of things that you've seen over the last five to seven days."

The next question is, if a trade were to happen, then what would the Jazz want in return? The name that keeps coming up in the rumor mill is Quentin Grimes. The former first-round pick is only 23 years old and could compete with Keyonte George as the possible point guard of the future. 

There are a lot of moving parts, and Jazz fans should get answers to what the future holds over the next few days. Utah only has one game before the trade deadline. 

Could Clarkson's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night be his last in a Jazz uniform? Stay tuned.

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