Jordan Clarkson admits Knicks were his top preferred destination
NEW JERSEY, United States — Jordan Clarkson had only one team in mind once the Utah Jazz bought out his contract this offseason.
The veteran guard said the New York Knicks were always at the top of his list.
“When they said you got an opportunity to come to the Knicks, I was on full go,” Clarkson told reporters at training camp this week. “I listened to nothing else.”
Clarkson’s path to New York can be traced back to Manila during the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Clarkson, who starred for the Philippine national team, bonded with Knicks standouts Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, who played for Team USA. Though they did not face each other in the tournament, the off-court connection proved significant.
“When Jalen came to Manila, he used my braider a few times, him and Josh,” Clarkson said. “And then we just got close doing all that.”
So when Clarkson became available after his buyout, he wasted little time reaching out to Hart.
“I just sent him a ‘00,’” Clarkson said with a laugh. “He didn’t know what it meant, but I’m here.”
The 33-year-old Filipino-American, who won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award in 2021, brings a skill set the Knicks lacked last season: scoring punch off the bench. New York finished last in bench scoring a year ago while coming within two wins of the NBA Finals.
Knicks coach Mike Brown believes Clarkson can fill that void.
“He’s a professional scorer, especially one coming off the bench. It means he knows how to play the game,” Brown said. “He’s not just scoring. That’s what I like about him — he’s a capable passer. You want guys who aren’t afraid of the moment, who are willing to take the shot and go get it.”
Clarkson has averaged 2.9 assists in his career, complementing his ability to create his own shot. Last season with Utah, he posted 16.2 points, 3.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 26 minutes per game.
“For me, I’m going to be myself in between what’s going on already,” Clarkson said. “I’m going to hang my hat on that. I’m going to make my changes or whatever I have to do to fit in here and play the right way. Definitely, down the line, I think all the guys know if they show [the ball to me], it’s going to get in the air. The majority of the time, I feel like I’m open. It comes with a grain of salt. I have to take good shots and play the right way, as well.”
While Clarkson’s minutes and role could shrink on a deeper Knicks roster, the chance to contend for a championship outweighed personal stats after years of playing for a rebuilding Jazz squad.
“It was pretty difficult,” Clarkson said of his time in Utah. “I’m a competitor. At the end of the day, I want to win.”
The Knicks enter the season with 9/1 championship odds, behind only the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder (2/1), and the Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers, who are tied at 7/1, according to Virgin Bet, one of the best sports betting apps, per ESports News UK.
For Clarkson, the move to New York also carries meaning beyond basketball. With more than 250,000 Filipino immigrants living in the city, he will instantly become a fan favorite.
“I’m an everywhere kind of guy,” Clarkson said. “I’m worldwide.”
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Alder Almo is a former senior sportswriter for Philstar.com and NBA.com Philippines. He is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey, and writes for US-based publication Heavy.com.
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