Two seasons ago, just before the 2024 NBA trade deadline, I wrote a piece arguing why the Knicks should trade for Jordan Clarkson. The team needed depth and scoring off the bench, and I felt Clarkson’s game, along with his flashy personal style, was exactly what the Garden crowd would embrace. I wrote it with the utmost sincerity, with a touch of humor, but it ended up drawing more backlash than any article I’ve ever published. The comments came hard, targeting both Clarkson as a player and me for even
suggesting the move.
Eighteen months later, I couldn’t be happier that he’s a Knick. Sure, he just turned 33 this past June, but his game hasn’t slowed down. I know there will be nights when he puts up 15 shots and can’t buy a bucket. But there will also be plenty of nights where he catches fire and becomes “Simply En Fuego.”
Over the past three seasons with the Jazz, Clarkson’s production has steadily declined. Just three years ago, he averaged nearly 21 points per game as Utah’s starting shooting guard. Since then, injuries have hampered his consistency, but when healthy he still provided valuable scoring punch, averaging just under 17 points in 28 minutes off the bench while shooting around 40% from the field over the past two seasons. It’s no secret that he wasn’t brought in for his defense, but if he can replicate his level of play on the offensive end, Clarkson could give the Knicks’ second unit the spark it has been missing since Immanuel Quickley’s departure two seasons ago.
At 33, with injuries limiting him to just 153 games over the past three seasons, Clarkson comes with some risk. The Knicks acknowledged that by signing Malcolm Brogdon, adding another layer of backcourt stability. Brogdon isn’t expected to cut into Clarkson’s minutes, but if Clarkson ends up sidelined again, the Knicks now have reliable insurance.
While much of the Knicks’ rotation still carries question marks, whether among starters or role players, Clarkson’s expected role is certain for the time being. He’ll step in as the backup shooting guard, and fans can expect him to play roughly 25–30 minutes per game. Some nights he will drive us all mad, but I can also guarantee that there will be other nights that he becomes another Knicks fan favorite player.
