Jordan Clarkson says two-minute phone call at Wimbledon led him to the Knicks
Guard recalls agent Rich Paul asking where he wanted to go, a buyout from the Jazz and his attraction to Madison Square Garden and new teammates
Jordan Clarkson said a single, two-minute phone call at Wimbledon set the course for his signing with the New York Knicks this summer.
The 33-year-old guard recounted Saturday that he was watching Carlos Alcaraz play at Wimbledon when his agent, Rich Paul, called and asked, “Where you wanna go?” Clarkson said he answered, “I wanna come to New York,” and that Paul immediately reached out to the Knicks. "It all happened in two minutes," Clarkson told hundreds of rain-soaked fans during a live taping of "The Roommates" podcast, hosted by new teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. This was Clarkson’s first public comments since joining the team in July on a minimum contract after negotiating a buyout with the Utah Jazz.
Clarkson described Madison Square Garden and the crowd atmosphere as major factors in his decision. "The arena [MSG], honestly," he said. "Feeling the energy from the fans. Knowing they’re going to let you have it if you’re playing like s--t. But when you’re playing great, it’s all love. At the end of the day, I just want to feel the energy. Get to play with y’all [Brunson and Hart]."
The remarks provided an early glimpse into how Clarkson views his role with the Knicks and his chemistry with the club’s backcourt. He joined New York after reaching an agreement to leave Utah and accepted a veteran’s minimum contract in July. The signing was widely described by the organization and observers as a low-cost, potentially high-reward addition to the roster.
The public taping in Central Park drew a large crowd despite rainy conditions, and the exchange highlighted the informal but rapid nature of Clarkson’s recruitment. Clarkson credited Paul with quickly relaying his interest to the Knicks, and he emphasized the appeal of joining a team with established guards Brunson and Hart, who co-host the podcast where he made the comments.
Clarkson’s arrival adds depth and scoring potential to the Knicks’ guard rotation. In his remarks he repeatedly referenced the draw of New York’s fanbase and venue, saying the chance to play at Madison Square Garden was influential in his decision. He also acknowledged the scrutiny that comes with playing for a marquee franchise and suggested he welcomed both the pressure and the support that accompany strong performances.
The live appearance marked Clarkson’s first extended public discussion since the summer move. As the Knicks prepare for training camp and the preseason slate, Clarkson’s comments underscore his willingness to embrace a role within a team that has playoff aspirations and a passionate home crowd. The organization has positioned the veteran as a complementary piece to its core rotation, and Clarkson’s emphasis on energy and fit suggests he is focused on chemistry as well as opportunity.
Fans at the event heard Clarkson recount the quick sequence that led from a phone call at a tennis tournament to a new chapter in New York, a narrative that tied together his preference, his agent’s outreach and the club’s receptiveness to adding him after his buyout from Utah. The Knicks enter the season with additions aimed at bolstering scoring and bench production, and Clarkson’s public embrace of the team and its setting provides an early signal of how he intends to approach his tenure in Manhattan.
