Lost in the craziness of the first day of NBA free agency is an underrated signing by the New York Knicks. They quietly added Jordan Clarkson for cheap, suddenly adding more firepower to a team that desperately needed it.
Jordan Clarkson is expected to sign with the New York Knicks after he clears free agency waivers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/I9PnQFZArw
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
He averaged 17.5 points over his six seasons in Utah and 16.2 points last season in just 26 minutes per game. He also previously won Sixth Man of the Year after previously starting his career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Aside from not having a head coach in place, the Knicks’ biggest off-season need was to address their depth issues. Last season, they generally relied on seven players. And after the departure of Tom Thibodeau, it appears that whoever will coach the Knicks next season will have more to work with on the second unit.
After all, the starting lineup tended to play big minutes, which led to increased injury risk and made a deep playoff even harder. Fortunately for the Knicks, the Utah Jazz almost instantly traded Clarkson to the Charlotte Hornets, only for them to buy him out 24 hours later.
Now, he is a member of the Knicks after signing for the veterans minimum. That is a huge gift for the next, considering that he will give them a proven offensive weapon and make them deeper than they were last season.
The Knicks got a steal in Jordan Clarkson for the minimum
New York tended to rely too much on Jalen Brunson last season. While Clarkson won’t carry the Knicks’ offense, he can create for himself and others in spurts off the bench.
Having eight players they can rely on is a great start. If young players such as Tyler Kolek, Ariel Hukporti, or Pacome Dadiet step into a bigger role, then they could have a legitimate 10-man rotation next season.
Considering that the Knicks were beaten in each of the last two playoffs by the Indiana Pacers, who relied on a big rotation, they should take a page out of their book. It should also help them in the regular season by keeping the minutes for their best players down.
Specifically Brunson, with Clarkson being able to play both point guard and shooting guard. That small tweak could help the Knicks finally get over the hump and make the NBA Finals for the first time in 25+ years next season. Especially with the Eastern Conference being wide open with injuries to Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum.
Ultimately, the Knicks made a surprisingly good signing for the vet minimum by adding Clarkson. While they still could use another player to round out their roster as well as a coach, the Knicks off-season has gotten off to a better-than-expected start.
