LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 16: Jordan Clarkson (L) #00 and Tyler Kolek #13 of the New York Knicks celebrate after Clarkson hit a 3-pointer against the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth quarter of the championship game of the Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena on December 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The reaction to the signing of a 10th man should be near silence, but New York celebrates a key return of a piece of the championship team. Last week, Jordan Clarkson agreed to the veteran minimum with the Knicks, which keeps adding depth to a group that was able to separate themselves from the competition with their volume of talent.
The interesting part about the story of Clarkson is that he is the embodiment of sacrifice for a team that had several players willing to play whatever the team ultimately asked of them. Walking into the season Clarkson was destined to play behind Brunson and enhance a bench that had a tendency to frustrate with stagnancy. Under Tom Thibodeau it was customary for the bench to feel underwhelming and underutilized.
Clarkson came into the season with plenty of talent and accolades— he won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2020-21 and he has averaged over 15 points per game in his career. Yet, Knicks fans may also have been a little hesitant of his arrival based on the game that the Utah Jazz had played against the New York Knicks during the 2024-25 season where his shot selection was lightly criticized by Mike Breen.
He proved his worth to the Knicks in several different ways over the past season. There are a few things that will be highly valuable to continue to showcase in order for him to maintain a consistent role in the rotation.
The reaction to the signing of a 10th man should be near silence, but New York celebrates a key return of a piece of the championship team. Last week, Jordan Clarkson agreed to the veteran minimum with the Knicks, which keeps adding depth to a group that was able to separate themselves from the competition with their volume of talent.
The interesting part about the story of Clarkson is that he is the embodiment of sacrifice for a team that had several players willing to play whatever the team ultimately asked of them. Walking into the season Clarkson was destined to play behind Brunson and enhance a bench that had a tendency to frustrate with stagnancy. Under Tom Thibodeau it was customary for the bench to feel underwhelming and underutilized.
Clarkson came into the season with plenty of talent and accolades— he won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2020-21 and he has averaged over 15 points per game in his career. Yet, Knicks fans may also have been a little hesitant of his arrival based on the game that the Utah Jazz had played against the New York Knicks during the 2024-25 season where his shot selection was lightly criticized by Mike Breen.
He proved his worth to the Knicks in several different ways over the past season. There are a few things that will be highly valuable to continue to showcase in order for him to maintain a consistent role in the rotation.
3 months ago
