Jazz lock in Keyonte George extension

AP:

Jazz guard Keyonte George signed a multi-year extension on Friday, securing a key piece of Utah’s rebuilding project.

The club did not disclose the terms, but ESPN reported it was a five-year, US$157.5 million extension. The deal runs through the 2031-32 season.

“Keyonte’s leadership, growth, and commitment to what we’re building make him an integral part of this franchise’s future,” Austin Ainge, Jazz president of basketball operations, said in a statement. “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.

“We’re thrilled he’s choosing to remain in Utah as a foundational piece as we continue chasing our ultimate goal: a championship.”

George, the 16th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, is coming off a season in which he posted career highs of 23.6 points and 6.1 assists per game while averaging 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

He is part of a Jazz core that includes veterans Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., along with Darryn Peterson and Ace Bailey, lottery picks in the two most recent drafts. Peterson was selected second overall this year, while Bailey was taken fifth in 2025.

Utah has been deep in rebuilding mode, winning a combined 39 games over the past two seasons. The Jazz have not posted a winning record since finishing 49-33 in the 2021-22 campaign, after which the franchise reshaped its roster by trading All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.

The NBA fined the Jazz US$500,000 in February for not playing Markkanen and Jackson in the fourth quarter of close games against Miami and Orlando because the league said the team was attempting to improve its draft position.

Jazz owner Ryan Smith disputed that claim on social media, noting that Utah defeated Miami.