Jordan Clarkson says Wimbledon phone call led to Knicks signing

Jordan Clarkson said a single phone call at Wimbledon set in motion his move to the New York Knicks, recounting the moment during a live taping of a teammates' podcast in Central Park.

Clarkson, 33, told the crowd Saturday night that he was watching Carlos Alcaraz play at Wimbledon when his agent, Rich Paul, called and asked, “Where you wanna go?” Clarkson said he replied, “I wanna come to New York.” “It all happened in two minutes,” he said. “Then I was a Knick.” The remarks were his first public comments since joining the Knicks in July on a minimum contract after negotiating a buyout with the Utah Jazz.

The exchange came into view during a live taping of “The Roommates,” a podcast hosted by Clarkson’s new teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. The event was held at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park in front of hundreds of rain-soaked fans. Clarkson said the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden and the chance to play alongside Brunson and Hart factored into his decision.

“The arena [MSG], honestly,” Clarkson 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].”

Clarkson’s remarks provided a glimpse of how quickly free-agent decisions can move when a player and agent align on destination preference and teams pursue roster additions. The guard finalized his Knicks signing after resolving his contract situation with the Jazz earlier this summer. The July deal was reported as a minimum contract, giving New York roster flexibility while adding a veteran scorer.

The Roommates taping offered a public forum for Clarkson to describe his motivations and to introduce himself to the Manhattan fan base in a casual setting, rather than through traditional press conferences. The podcast, produced and hosted by Brunson and Hart, typically features candid conversations among the players and has been used by the team as a platform to engage fans ahead of the season.

Clarkson’s path to New York included a negotiated buyout with Utah, a common route for veteran players seeking new opportunities in free agency. He joined the Knicks in July and has since been part of offseason activities and media appearances tied to the team. His remarks in Central Park marked his first extended public explanation for choosing New York and highlighted the role of personal interactions and environment in free-agent decisions.

The Knicks added Clarkson as they continue to shape their roster around core players, including Brunson and Hart. The team has not issued further comment beyond the reporting of the signing and the podcast appearance. Clarkson’s account of the Wimbledon phone call underscores how quickly modern NBA player movement can be finalized when mutual interest aligns among player, agent and team representatives.