2023-24

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Ryan Kostecka

In a seemingly unremarkable game in January in which the Jazz held a double-digit lead over the Mavericks late in the fourth quarter, nearly every eye inside the Delta Center turned to watch a conversation between Jordan Clarkson and head coach Will Hardy.&nbsp;

Everybody inside the arena and those watching at home knew exactly what that conversation was about. Was Hardy going to leave Clarkson in for the game's final minutes with the Jazz up 30? Or was he going to take him out and extend Utah's 15-year streak of games without recording a triple-double?

"I said, 'Get a rebound and call timeout immediately,'" Hardy said when asked about those conversations.

Sure enough, Clarkson did as he was told. A few minutes later, he chased down a long rebound, and at the 2:33 mark of the fourth quarter on Jan. 1, history was made (or broken?). That completed the final stat line of 20 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, snapping a streak that had lasted 5,801 days.

"It meant a lot," Clarkson said that night. "Honestly, I think I'm the — well, I am — the longest player here. Just breaking that record, seeing all the team and the guys, it just felt good. … It was a very cool little milestone to put on my list."

Although the season didn't end the way Clarkson and the Jazz had hoped, that moment of grabbing that rebound and taking in Jazz Nation going crazy all around him was something Clarkson will remember for the rest of his life. It was a small part of another good season for Clarkson as he navigated an ever-evolving role again in his second season under Hardy.&nbsp;

"I think a lot of us had high expectations of trying to make the play-in game and win games this year," he said. "I guess we didn't accomplish what we wanted to, so I think it was a letdown for us. I think that's how a lot of guys feel, a sense of disappointment because we wanted to win games and compete. … We just didn't achieve that goal."

Going from starter to sixth man, to starter, and back to sixth man again, Clarkson still managed to complete one of the best statistical seasons of his career. He finished with 17.1 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in 30.6 minutes per game. His 5.0 assists per game are a career-high, as he finished with four games this year of 10+ assists, another career-high. He also had three games of 10+ rebounds, another career high.&nbsp;

"I feel like this year was the most I've ever had to make plays," Clarkson said. "I had to get off the ball a lot because of how the team was and how our roles changed. … I found that the game is a little slower and I'm able to pick my spots a little more when I'm in that position."

Although no one can predict the future, Clarkson had no problem reflecting on everything that Jazz and the state of Utah have meant to him. 

"Having a relationship with Ryan (Smith), Danny (Ainge), JZ (Just Zanik), and those guys. … I consider all of them family," he said. This is a place that I was able to call home, and I've really loved my time here. … I love this state, I love this city. I love playing for this team, for Will (Hardy) and everybody.”

When asked about the legacy he would leave should his time with the Jazz end in the upcoming months, Clarkson made sure the success on the court was matched by the success off the court.

"Not a knock on Thurl (Bailey), but best sixth man ever that came through a Jazz uniform," Clarkson said with a smile. "A legacy of showing love, embracing people. … This community is everything. I think that's my legacy of coming off the bench, winning the Sixth Man of the Year award. … Just a man of the people. Period."

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"Love This State" — Breaking Triple-Double Streak Among Highlights in Clarkson's Legacy-Defining Season

With just under two weeks before the Feb. 8 trade deadline — and the due date for my wife and our first born — the Jazz remain one of the most interesting and fluid teams in the league.

Armed with a treasure trove of draft picks and expiring contracts, Utah has the necessary ammo to make a massive splash and a huge move. But they also have numerous players on great contracts with skillsets capable of taking teams to the next level.

With that being said, what will the Jazz do? Will they be buyers or sellers? What's the market like? JP Chunga (Jazz Podcast Host) and myself (Jazz Digital Content Writer) are here to answer your Jazz questions — and much more.

Question: I’ll ask the question EVERYBODY in Jazz Nation wants to ask… are the Jazz going to make a move? | Andy C. — Tooele, UTChunga: With the spot they’re in, Utah has a lot of options. 14 first round picks keeps them in conversations for talent acquisition. Currently in the play-in race, they’ll have plenty of opportunities to get involved in deals.

Question: If the Jazz do make a move, who do you think is most likely to be traded? | Anaiah H. — Boise, IDKostecka: It seems as if almost every player in Utah’s rotation has been mentioned in some trade scenario over the past month, but that doesn’t mean much to be honest. I think Utah’s most valuable assets are Kelly Olynyk, Jordan Clarkson and Talen Horton-Tucker. Clarkson and Olynyk’s skillsets could immediately help contenders take the next step, while THT and Olynyk are both on expiring contracts.

Question: What’s the difference for Utah between last season’s trade deadline and this year’s? | Oscar S. — Whitefish, MTChunga: It was the first year of the pivot and this year there’s a clear indication of some building blocks. Nobody could’ve imagined Lauri Markkanen to be an All-Star, and his follow up has been tremendous. Last season the Jazz started hot and then cooled off. This year, it was the opposite. Clarkson has settled into a pivotal and impactful role off the bench with this group.

Question: Last year the Jazz traded Mike (sad), Vando, and Malik at the deadline and they struggled the rest of the year. Is that the plan this year also, or will they add someone to climb the standings? | Levi D. — Morgan, UTKostecka: This is the beauty of the Jazz, they can go in either direction and the results can be varied. They’ve proven to be one of the deepest teams in the league so they might be able to withstand losing a player or two — especially depending on who comes back their way. I’m not sure which direction they’ll go, but I’m willing to assume the Jazz will make a push for the postseason.

Question: Not really a trade deadline question… but with Utah owing OKC that top-10 protected pick this year, does the team want to convey that pick or not? | Lila S. — Salt Lake City, UTChunga: Thinking about this draft, it’s widely criticized as lacking the big 1A stars that other drafts had. Victor Wembanyama ain’t walking through that door. So conveying the pick isn’t the end of the world. And considering how Utah used all three of their picks in the 2023 Draft, you could even roll one over and say one of those counts for this year (a logical leap yes, but not a crazy one). They don’t critically need a #14 overall pick if it comes to that.

Question: How do the other trades that have happened so far — Rozier (Miami), OG (New York), and Siakim (Indiana) — affect the Jazz this year if they end up trading someone? | Madison L. — Richfield, UTKostecka: I think those trades have actually helped the Jazz a lot. Getting one first-rounder for Rozier was the most telling, meaning the market is set for players such as Clarkson and Olynyk as it’ll probably cost at least a first-rounder for either. New York not giving up a first-rounder for (OG) Anunoby was insane, but the player return for Toronto was nice. 

Question: Not Jazz related, but what trade do you think could have the biggest impact on the postseason? | Elsie S. — American Fork, UTChunga: Terry Rozier in Miami looks to be the biggest deal right now. I don’t necessarily believe he fixed their offense, but in the postseason, the Heat always rise to the occasion. It gives them another bucket-getter when the pace slows down in the playoffs. I rate them above Milwaukee but below Boston and Philadelphia. 

Question: With rumors flying faster than any sorority or fraternity house, are there any players who’ve been made “available” that could be good fits for Utah? | Henry M. — Las Vegas, NVKostecka: Honestly, I don’t know if anyone has been made truly available that will have the sort of impact the Jazz are looking for. They’ve got a great core and are clearly building something for this season and the ones that follow. The good news is that the Jazz have more than enough draft picks, players, and expiring contracts to make any move they want. HOWEVER, I saw a report that said the Pelicans were making Herb Jones available — I don’t know how reliable that tidbit is, but that’s the ideal player Hardy and the Jazz should convey. 

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Utah Jazz Mailbag — As the Trade Deadline Approaches, JP Chunga and Ryan Kostecka Answer Your Questions

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2023‑24

"Love This State" — Breaking Triple-Double Streak Among Highlights in Clarkson's Legacy-Defining Season

Utah Jazz Mailbag — As the Trade Deadline Approaches, JP Chunga and Ryan Kostecka Answer Your Questions