Jazz security guard Keyonte George was rewarded for his much-improved third season, in which he raised his scoring average from 16.8 to 23.6 while maintaining his efficiency, with a five-year salary of $155 million expansion. He’s now cemented as the franchise’s long-term point guard along with the No. 2 overall pick Darrin Peterson.
Team president Austin Ainge believes the extension will help both George and the Jazz as a whole as Ainge tries to help Utah become a playoff threat again.
“We are trying to compete at a higher level” he said recently, per Chandler Holt of KSL Sports ( Twitter link ).”That was part of the motivation. We didn’t want Keyonte to worry about stats or a contract. As we turn the corner, snaps and stats can go up and down. We just want the whole team to be focused on winning.”
George, selected 16th overall in 2023, had an up-and-down first two seasons in the league and was a part-timer in his second year, coming off the bench in 37 of 65 games in 2024-25. This deal, and the Jazz’s confidence behind it, will allow him to feel secure in his position with the team.
We’ve got more from across the North West:
- After a somewhat disappointing final 19 games of the season with Trail Blazers, Vit Krejci hopes to enter this season and re-establish himself as a winger and defender the team could use, Joe Freeman writes for The Oregonian. While his contract isn’t fully guaranteed until opening night, he’s expected to come into camp as a real contender for the team’s backup spot on the wing, and Freeman notes that the team likes his passing ability at 6’8″ in addition to his shooting and versatile defense.
- After several seasons of continuity, Thunder will enter the 2026/27 season with a new-look depth chart as they lose three rotation players to Lugentz is there, Aaron Wigginsand Isaiah Joeand brought in four rookies, including a lottery pick big man Marr’s candidate. They also have an open 15th spot on the roster, but by word of mouth Justin Martinez of Oklahoman. Two interesting dynamics will be: how and when Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell share the options to start as a shooting guard and how the third-string guard battle shakes out between the two Nikola Tema and a beginner Bennett Stirz. The big reserve battle between Mara and Thomas Sorberwho missed his rookie season recovering from a torn ACL, is also worth keeping an eye on.
- After winning the championship in 2023 Nuggets have struggled to reach the heights they aspire to and have similarly struggled to keep their roster intact. They are looking to put an injury-riddled season behind them and resume their championship quest, but there are questions that need to be answered for each of the starting five if they are going to get there. Vinny Benedetto of the Denver Gazette. For Jamal Murraythe question is whether he can reclaim his status as a bona fide playoff contender. After averaging over 26 points per game during the championship streak, he averaged just 21.7 points over the past three postseasons. For Christian Brownthe question is whether he can prove his outside shot is genuine. But the most important question, which will most likely decide the fate of the team, will be Nikola Jokic is still the best player in the world.
