For the Knicks, there are no realistic options for free agency goals. One of them is Jordan Clarkson. The 28-year-old became a key bench for Utah after arriving from Cleveland last season. He averaged over 15 points per game while shooting 36 percent from the deep during his time with Jazz.
Utah has the rights to Clarkson’s Bird, so they can go over the limit to re-sign it and may be motivated to do so. However, it might also make sense to let him walk so that Utah can maintain the flexibility of the long-term limit as they consider extensions for both Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.
We don’t know if the Knicks will try to add Clarkson this offseason. It’s a bit old for their reconstruction window. And as he adds shooting, they could use their dollars to lure shooters into other positions of need, rather than on guard. Clarkson doesn’t do enough to deserve to bring him there for an update.
Since Mike Conley will definitely be exercising his $ 34.5 million player option and there are no other free agent options to speak of, we highlight Clarkson, realizing that he is far from an ideal target.