Jordan Clarkson happy to do his part with Knicks — and knows role

Unlike a year prior, Jordan Clarkson’s free agency included no buyouts or last-minute calls.

He experienced the Knicks and wanted more of that.

“It was pretty chill, honestly,” Clarkson said of his summer. “I knew I wanted to come back here, so it was easy.”

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No other meetings or offers were considered by Clarkson or his representative, Rich Paul.

“We really didn’t listen to anything else,” the guard said ahead of Thursday night’s 111-109 preseason loss to the Wizards at Madison Square Garden. “I told my agent and everybody that I wanted to come back here, and if the money situation worked out, I wanted to come back. Not do anything else.”

It worked out for a second straight year, as the unrestricted free agent signed a veteran-minimum deal with the Knicks. In 2025, he first had to negotiate a buyout with the Utah Jazz and agreed to the Knicks deal while attending Wimbledon. There were alternatives back then.

This time, Clarkson’s one-year, $3.9 million deal arrived later in free agency — July 9 — but without much surprise.

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The Knicks, according to sources, appreciated his locker-room presence. Even if Clarkson doesn’t play, he’s encouraging his teammates, getting along with everybody, going with the flow.

That’s not always the case with veterans who are suddenly faced with dips in opportunities — especially those with Clarkson’s resume.

He ranks seventh in the NBA in all-time bench points and needs just 39 more to surpass No. 6 Thurl Bailey.

Sacrificing with grace will probably be important again this season for Clarkson, who is part of a crowded backcourt with no guarantee of playing time.

Barring a trade, the Knicks have Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado and Miles McBride above Clarkson on the depth chart.

Jordan Clarkson shoots a jumper during the Knicks’ preseason game against the Wizards on Oct. 8, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. NBAE via Getty Images

But Clarkson, who scored seven points in nine minutes Thursday, can separate himself as a longer body — he’s 6-foot-5 — who can press the ball handler on defense and sometimes create a shot for himself.

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The big difference, as…

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Publish date : 2026-10-09 01:08:00

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