A huge New York Knicks free agent signing has revealed why he linked up with the squad this summer.
While taping a live episode of two-time All-NBA Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson and New York shooting guard Josh Hart’s weekly podcast “Roommates Show” in front of fans at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, Clarkson credited the club’s spectacular homecourt for ultimately swaying his decision, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Although that wasn’t the only reason.
“The arena (Madison Square Garden), honestly,” he said. “Feeling the energy from the fans. Knowing they’re going to let you have it if you’re playing like s—. 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).”
A critical new elemment of New York’s depth
The 33-year-old former Sixth Man of the Year agreed to a buyout of his expiring $14.3 million contract with the Utah Jazz in July, per a Jazz press release.
New York, hot off a run to the Eastern Conference Finals this spring and without the long-term injury or roster churn issues confronting the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers, figures to number among the top contenders in the East this season.
The 6-foot-3 combo guard agreed to a one-season, $4.6 million deal with the Knicks. Free agent power forward Guerschon Yabusele inked a two-season, $11.3 million contract.
Both will help augment a starry starting five and bolster New York’s previously shallow bench.
Clarkson also unpacked the expedient process of his signing.
“It all happened in two minutes,” Clarkson said. “Then I was a Knick.”
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Brunson revealed that he and Clarkson had at one point discussed a potential union on the hardwood as teammates, but stayed mum on the details.
“I’m not going to say when, but me and Jordan talked about this a while ago,” Brunson said.
Clarkson has been trapped on lottery-bound Jazz teams ever since Utah jettisoned two-time All-NBA shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, four-time Defensive Player of the Year center Rudy Gobert and one-time All-Star point guard Mike Conley in 2022.
He spoke effusively about his new opportunity with the contending Knicks.
“Y’all been doing great things over here,” Clarkson informed his new teammates. “I just want to come in here and enhance what y’all got going on.
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