Wimbledon phone call led Jordan Clarkson to the Knicks, he says
Clarkson says an impromptu call from agent Rich Paul at Wimbledon, plus Madison Square Garden's energy and the chance to play with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, prompted his July move after a Jazz buyout.
Jordan Clarkson said a two-minute exchange at Wimbledon set in motion his move to the New York Knicks, revealing the story during a live taping of a teammates' podcast in Central Park.
The 33-year-old guard told hundreds of rain-soaked fans at Rumsey Playfield that his agent, Rich Paul, called while Clarkson was watching Carlos Alcaraz play and asked, “Where you wanna go?” Clarkson said he replied, “I wanna come to New York.” Paul then reached out to the Knicks and, Clarkson said, “it all happened in two minutes.” The comments were his first public remarks since joining the team in July on a minimum contract following a buyout from the Utah Jazz.
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Clarkson spoke on “The Roommates,” a podcast hosted by teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, and recounted why he chose New York after negotiating the Jazz buyout. He cited Madison Square Garden and the crowd’s energy as decisive factors, saying the arena “honestly” appealed to him. “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,” Clarkson said. He added that playing alongside Brunson and Hart was also part of his decision.
The appearance was held before a crowd that gathered despite rain in Central Park, and it offered the first public explanation of how the signing unfolded. Clarkson’s move to New York came after discussions with the Jazz that led to a buyout and cleared the way for him to sign with the Knicks in free agency.
Knicks officials and front-office personnel moved quickly after Paul conveyed Clarkson’s interest, according to Clarkson’s account. The guard described the sequence as brief and direct, emphasizing the immediacy of the decision once he expressed a desire to play in New York.
Clarkson’s signing was viewed as a low-cost, potentially high-reward addition for the Knicks, bringing veteran scoring depth and bench experience. His comments on stage underscored his preference for the Madison Square Garden environment and his eagerness to mesh with New York’s backcourt core.
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The revelation offers a clearer timeline for how the free-agent signing unfolded and highlights the role of player-agency communication in rapid roster moves. Clarkson’s public recounting on the podcast provides context for the July transaction and the player’s motivations in choosing New York over other potential destinations.
Clarkson has not elaborated on contract specifics beyond confirming the minimum deal, and the Knicks have not issued further comment beyond the roster move. The team will look to integrate Clarkson’s scoring ability and veteran presence as it prepares for the upcoming season.