We know what Utah’s backcourt of the future will look like — Darryn Peterson and Keyonte George.
That is more set in stone than ever after George signed a five-year, $157.5 million extension of his rookie contract with the Jazz, a story first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon and since confirmed by the team itself.
“Keyonte’s leadership, growth, and commitment to what we’re building make him an integral part of this franchise’s future,” Austin Ainge, Utah Jazz president of basketball operations, said in a statement announcing the deal. “His work ethic, ability to connect with teammates in the locker room and on the floor, and his love for this team and our fans have been incredible to watch.”
NBA insider Jake Fischer says the true contract value, excluding incentives he may or may not earn, is $155 million. The deal does not kick in until the 2027-28 season (George will make $6.6 million this season in the final year of his rookie deal).
George, who had emerged as part of the future in Utah long before the lottery balls bounced its way, gets starting point guard money at more than $30 million a season. Utah locks up a player who, if he continues to grow on his current trajectory, will be a good value at this price.
George joins Victor Wembanyama and Amen Thompson as the first players from the 2023 draft class to sign rookie extensions.
George, the No. 16 pick in 2023 out of Baylor, averaged 23.6 points and 6.1 assists per game last season, while shooting 37.1% from beyond the arc in the 54 games he played on the tanking Jazz. His production has steadily improved each of his three NBA seasons, although his perimeter defense remains a serious concern. That said, George emerged as part of Utah’s future long before last year’s lottery.
That lottery brought in No. 2 pick Peterson, who showed his star potential at both the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas Summer Leagues.
How Peterson and George will mesh as a backcourt where both can handle the ball and create, and both can shoot, will be a work in progress this season for coach Will Hardy. But mesh that backcourt with Lauri Markkanen, Ace Bailey and Jaren Jackson Jr. and this could be an interesting team in Utah this season.
