Former NBA Sixth Man of the Year to Hit Free Agency After Surprise Buyout originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
A former NBA Sixth Man of the Year has become a surprise late edition to the NBA free agent market.
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Free agency tips off on Monday night, at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET. Only one team, the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets, has enough room for a maximum signing.
All five still-high level All-Stars who could have become free agents this summer (Los Angeles Lakers power forward LeBron James, L.A. Clippers guard James Harden, injured Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving, Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet, and Minnesota Timberwolves power forward) either picked up their 2025-26 player options (LeBron James) or negotiated new deals with their current teams (everyone else).
That said, plenty of intriguing role player pieces were already set to become available even before this weekend. That group has already expanded to include two surprise buyout players and one surprise swingman who declined his option.
Former Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton and Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith could both be on the move. Joining Ayton in the world of buyouts is another, just-announced premium pro.
Utah Jazz guards Jordan Clarkson (00) and Collin Sexton (2) speak during a break in the action.Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, shooting guard Jordan Clarkson is negotiating a contract buyout with his longtime home, the Utah Jazz. The 6-foot-4 vet is hoping to join a contender on his next contract. “Multiple playoff teams” are set to hold interest in the versatile bench scorer.
Clarkson, 32, was a key cog on a contending Utah club anchored by All-Stars Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley for several seasons, and had been the last man standing until this buyout.
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In just 37 healthy games last season, Clarkson averaged a solid 16.2 points on .408/.362/.797 shooting splits, 3.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.8 steals per bout — solid numbers, albeit for a tanking team.
Clarkson hasn’t been available for more than 61 games in three years, but the Danny Ainge-led Jazz have also gotten into trouble with the league for resting their best players to jockey for lottery luck late into a given season, so it’s unclear if these health issues should be any cause for concern among interested teams.
Related: Newest Piece of Jazz Roster Showcases Upside Early in Utah Career
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.