Jordan Clarkson Finds Himself on the Outside Looking In as Knicks Rotation Tightens
Jordan Clarkson is in unfamiliar waters right now. After being a steady presence off the bench for the Knicks this season, the veteran guard is suddenly seeing his role evaporate just as the team is getting healthy and trying to snap out of a rough stretch.
In Wednesday night’s 120-66 blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets - a game that will be remembered as one of the most lopsided victories in franchise history - Clarkson didn’t touch the floor until the outcome was long decided. With the Knicks already up by 32, he logged his only minutes in garbage time.
That came on the heels of a two-minute cameo in Monday’s loss to the Mavericks. For a player who’s been a regular in Mike Brown’s rotation, the sudden drop-off is hard to miss.
Right now, Clarkson appears to be the odd man out in a fully healthy Knicks lineup. And while the team is still trying to find its rhythm after a month-long skid, it’s clear Brown is tightening the rotation - and Clarkson’s not currently in it.
It’s not just a coaching decision made in a vacuum. Clarkson’s recent play hasn’t helped his case.
Over his last 10 games, he’s averaged just 7.0 points while shooting 37% from the field. For a guy brought in to provide instant offense off the bench, that kind of dip in production is hard to overlook.
After the win over Brooklyn, Clarkson spoke candidly about the situation. He said he wasn’t given a heads-up about the benching, but he’s staying locked in and ready for whatever comes next.
“I read the room. I see what it is,” Clarkson said. “I’m just a vet coming in here doing my work, staying ready, when I’m playing in those minutes with the young guys.”
He made it clear he’s not sulking or checking out. “I ain’t taking nothing away from them [by] being a pro, talking to them, trying to get them in their spots and still play,” he added.
“I’m not gonna go in there and f-k the game up. I’m just gonna try to keep continuing to play the right way and help these guys grow and continue to get better.”
That’s the kind of leadership you want from a veteran - even one who’s on the fringes of the rotation.
But with the trade deadline less than two weeks away, Clarkson’s situation is one to watch. He signed a one-year deal with New York this past offseason with the hope that he’d be a microwave scorer off the bench - a guy who could come in, heat up in a hurry, and tilt the momentum. And while there have been flashes, the consistency just hasn’t been there, especially on the defensive end.
The Knicks, meanwhile, are looking for ways to upgrade their bench - particularly in the frontcourt - and Clarkson’s expiring contract could be a useful trade chip in that pursuit. His name has started to circulate in trade chatter, and given how his minutes have dried up, it wouldn’t be surprising if the front office is exploring options.
Whether this recent benching is a short-term adjustment or a sign of a bigger shift remains to be seen. The Knicks are heading to Philadelphia next, looking to build off the momentum of their statement win over Brooklyn.
But for Clarkson, the immediate future is murky. He’s saying the right things, staying professional, and keeping himself ready - but the clock is ticking, and the trade deadline is looming.