Keyonte George Agrees To $157.5 Million Extension With Jazz – Is He Worth It?

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George has agreed to a $157.5 million extension with the team that includes no player option.

George earned the extension last season, when the 22-year-old put his full potential on display, averaging 23.6 points and 6.1 assists.

He has become a significant part of the franchise, with the money to show for it, taking up 16% of the team’s salary cap.

The starting point guard is part of an investment for the Jazz, who not only missed the playoffs handily last year but are also starting to age. Starters such as Jaren Jackson Jr., Jusuf Nurkic, and Lauri Markkanen are all approaching their tenth year in the league, while the youngster, George, still has plenty of time to be a key piece for the Jazz.

The five-year deal will be the keystone for the Jazz as they look to build alongside their other guard, Darryn Peterson, who was their number two pick in last year’s draft. The disappointing last few seasons have, at the very least, given them a promising future, even with some of their other starters aging.

The hope is that Peterson and George can be one of the league’s best guard duos and two players the team can build around. The rookie, Peterson, is expected to make just over $13 million this year, nothing compared to the deal that George just signed, worth over $30 million a year, but could earn that same way as George by having a good rookie season alongside the point guard.

The NBA season begins in under a month, and the Jazz believe that even though they have had a disappointing last few seasons, this year could be one where they contend, as Jackson Jr., Nurkic and Markkanen paired with the two youngsters have the potential to be a great starting five.