The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of the more active teams across the league once free agency officially opens on Monday evening, as Rob Pelinka and the front office look to fill the holes on the roster with established veterans.
While it remains to be seen whether a reunion is something that either party would be interested in pursuing, a veteran wing who spent the early portion of his NBA career suiting up for the Purple and Gold is set to be an unrestricted free agent after agreeing to a buyout with his now former team.
Former Los Angeles Lakers Guard Jordan Clarkson Hits Free Agency
Just hours before teams were allowed to begin contacting free agents and their representatives, the Utah Jazz and Jordan Clarkson came to terms on a contract buyout that will allow him to sign with any team he chooses this offseason, assuming he clears waivers. Clarkson was entering the final year of his deal that would have paid him just north of $14 million during the 2025-26 campaign.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Clarkson is expected to prioritize teams that are contending for playoff spots rather than an organization such as Utah, as the Jazz are still in the early stages of a rebuild in Salt Lake City.
Jordan Clarkson is finalizing a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz, sources tell ESPN. Clarkson will target contending teams for his new home -- with interest from multiple playoff teams already expected. pic.twitter.com/e1hOavfiFa
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
This past season, Clarkson appeared in 37 games for Utah. However, he maintained his presence as an offensive spark plug off the bench, averaging 16.2 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 26 minutes per game. If he can continue to provide that scoring punch off the bench, he will be coveted by the types of teams he is trying to attract attention from.
What Clarkson shouldn't be expecting, though, is a long-term deal with a raise in pay from what he was going to make in Utah this season. If Clarkson's true motivation in this buyout is latching on with a franchise that will be playing meaningful basketball late into the spring of 2026, then that won't be of concern to him.