Jordan Clarkson Says Wimbledon Phone Call Sparked Knicks Move
Clarkson recounts a swift exchange with agent Rich Paul that led to his July signing with New York
Jordan Clarkson said a brief phone call at Wimbledon set in motion his move to the New York Knicks, an exchange he described during his first public comments since joining the team.
The 33-year-old guard said he was watching a Carlos Alcaraz match when agent Rich Paul called and asked, "Where you wanna go?" Clarkson replied, "I wanna come to New York." Paul then contacted the Knicks, and "it all happened in two minutes," Clarkson said Saturday night during a live taping of "The Roommates" podcast hosted by teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. "Then I was a Knick."
Clarkson, who joined New York in July after negotiating a buyout with the Utah Jazz, said the decision was driven by the chance to play at Madison Square Garden and to join Brunson and Hart. "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."
The comments were delivered in front of hundreds of rain-soaked fans at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park during the podcast taping. Clarkson's appearance marked his first extended public remarks since the summer signing, which was finalized on a minimum contract after the buyout from Utah.
Team officials and media coverage have described Clarkson's arrival as a notable addition to the Knicks' offseason moves. Clarkson has experience as a scoring guard in the NBA, and his familiarity with Brunson and Hart factored into his preference for New York when Paul reached out on his behalf.
Clarkson's account clarified the timeline of his transition to the Knicks and underscored his enthusiasm for joining the franchise. He framed the move as both a personal preference and a professional opportunity to play in one of the league's most high-profile arenas and to integrate with his new teammates.
The Knicks' training camp and preseason schedule will provide the first on-court opportunities to see how Clarkson fits into the rotation created by the team's returning core. For now, his public remarks offered fans a direct window into the moment the decision was made and why New York became his destination.
