The Knicks are trying to keep the band together after winning their first title in five decades.
That includes Jordan Clarkson, who will return to the Knicks on a one-year, $3.9 million veteran minimum contract, news first reported by Stefan Bondy of the New York Post after speaking with Clarkson’s agent, Rich Paul, with ESPN’s Shams Charania adding the salary details.
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Clarkson played in 72 games for the Knicks last season, although his minutes fluctuated, and he averaged 8.6 points and 1.3 assists per game. His role shrank in the playoffs, for example he played just 30 minutes across the five NBA Finals games.
Clarkson can still go get a bucket, which is a boost off the Knicks bench, and he was popular with teammates in what was a tight Knicks locker room. He’s a good fit to bring back.
The Knicks may also be interested in center Jonas Valanciunas, whom the Denver Nuggets just waived. The Knicks and Valanciunas talked when he was a free agent in 2024 and he is a former client of Knicks president Leon Rose, points out Knicks insider Ian Begley. New York is looking for depth at the five behind Karl-Anthony Towns, and while they have signed Andre Drummond they are eyeing one more center to fill the role Mitchell Robinson did a year ago (he signed with Boston as a free agent).