Jordan Clarkson says Madison Square Garden and the passion of New York fans were the driving forces behind his decision to join the Knicks.
Speaking to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, Clarkson detailed how quickly his move came together after negotiating a buyout from the Utah Jazz.
“The arena [MSG], honestly,” Clarkson said. “Feeling the energy from the fans. Knowing they’re going to let you have it if you’re playing like s–t. But when you’re playing great, it’s all love. At the end of the day, I just want to feel the energy. Get to play with y’all [Brunson and Hart].”
The veteran guard recalled he was at Wimbledon watching Carlos Alcaraz when his agent, Rich Paul, asked where he wanted to go next. Clarkson said his answer was immediate: “I wanna come to New York.” Within minutes, Paul relayed the message, and Clarkson became a Knick.
The move capped Clarkson’s five-year run in Utah, where he won Sixth Man of the Year in 2021 and averaged 16.2 points across 37 games last season. His buyout on June 30 cleared the path for a July 7 signing with New York.
For the Knicks, Clarkson provides instant scoring and backcourt depth. He has averaged 16.0 points over 753 career games and brings postseason experience, including key roles with both Cleveland and Utah.
