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NBA Star Jordan Clarkson Gives Reason for Big Career Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
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It doesn’t get much attention, but Jordan Clarkson is an undisputed second-round steal when he first came to the NBA in 2014. When the Los Angeles Lakers picked him with the No. 46 pick, he became a double-digit scorer from the jump.
He isn’t as accomplished as some of the other NBA stars who were picked in the second round, like Nikola Jokic, Draymond Green, Manu Ginobili, Khris Middleton, and DeAndre Jordan. Still, Clarkson has proven his worth in the NBA as a scorer, as he’s averaged as many as 20.8 points per game and has never dipped below a double-digit scoring average.
Clarkson has also played for quite a few playoff teams throughout his NBA career, as he helped the Cleveland Cavaliers make the NBA Finals in 2018, then helped the Utah Jazz make the NBA Playoffs for three straight years from 2020 to 2022.
Jordan Clarkson Explains What It Means to Join the Knicks
This offseason, the Jazz waived Clarkson, which paved the way for him to join the New York Knicks, who are fresh off their first run to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2000. In an interview with New York fashion brand KITH and its founder, Ronnie Fieg, Clarkson explained what makes the Knicks special.
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“This is a place that everybody wakes up and wants to play, wants to be a part of it,” Clarkson said (h/t New York Basketball). I think being a Knick, in that sense, you have a sense of pride. It’s love around the city always for the Knicks.
“I think when you go out there and be confident and show love and really play for the city and embrace it and wear it on your skin when you’re out there on the floor, play with pride and know it’s bigger than yourself and this team, I feel like that’s when you really are engaged and want to take it to the next level. I’m ready for it all and super excited and ready to get to it.”
Clarkson is coming off an injury-plagued season with the Jazz, but still put up solid scoring numbers. In 37 games, Clarkson averaged 16.2 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 40.8% from the field and 36.2% from three.
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The Knicks were dead last in bench points per game last season, averaging 21.7 points per game, per NBA.com. Because of Clarkson’s reputation and after the season he just had, he might be just what the doctor ordered in New York.
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Related: Insider Predicts Huge Knicks Starting Lineup Change Next Season After Coaching Change
NBA Star Jordan Clarkson Gives Reason for Big Career Decision first appeared on Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
