What happened?
The Utah Jazz are reportedly in talks to extend Keyonte George's contract ahead of the 2026-27 season, with the team seeking a team-friendly deal. The 25-year-old guard had a breakout season last year, averaging 23.6 points and 6.1 assists per game in 54 starts. Last result: Los Angeles Lakers 131-107 Utah Jazz (2026-04-13). The Jazz are coming off a 2-0 loss streak, with their last five games resulting in a 2W-0D-3L record.
Why it matters for Utah Jazz
Despite having two big contracts already on their books, the Jazz have a big decision to make with George eligible for an extension. The team is hoping to reach a point where it is competing for a top four playoff seed, but they have won a total of 39 games since the start of the 2024-25 campaign. The Jazz already have George under contract for the upcoming season, so they might opt to play things out to see how this group looks together.
What comes next?
The Jazz would presumably want more of a sample size to prove that George's performance last season was indicative of what he will be going forward. He shot under 40 percent from the field in each of his first two seasons. The team is also dealing with the addition of Jaren Jackson Jr. in February, whose salary combined with Lauri Markkanen's contract means the Jazz will be paying them more than $95 million in 2026-27 and more than $100 million in the following two seasons. George is set to make $6.6 million in 2026-27 and has a $19.7 million projected number as a restricted free agent next summer. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers are the only teams currently set to roster three players who make at least $40 million in 2026-27.
The Jazz are hoping to get George to extend on something close to a team-friendly number, as another big year from him would set him up to ask for a max contract. ESPN's Tim MacMahon said there is "optimism" from the Jazz side that a deal can be worked out, but it's unclear what George is seeking in an extension. The team's decision will be crucial in determining their playoff prospects for the upcoming season. And, if they can get George to extend on a team-friendly number, it might be in their best interest to do so, as it would give them more flexibility in the offseason. So, the Jazz are taking a cautious approach to George's contract extension, and it will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds.
