Amen Thompson’s new extension has put the Utah Jazz in an awkward spot with Keyonte George.
The Jazz are heading into September with plenty to like about the season ahead. There’s the idea of winning games, the presence of multiple All-Star caliber players, Ace Bailey’s sophomore season, and Darryn Peterson in the Rookie of the Year conversation. But one thing that has suddenly climbed onto the front burner is extension talk, especially around members of the 2023 draft class.
Keyonte George sits right at the center of it. Brice Sensabaugh has been solid over three seasons, but George is the one positioned for the major payday after his breakout 2025-26 season.
He was one of the more notable All-Star snubs last season and has plenty of motivation to keep the momentum rolling. Plenty of teams passed on him in 2023 before Utah took him 16th overall, and after his first two seasons left a bit to be desired, his rise should bring a lot more attention now that the Jazz are trying to win.
Then there’s Amen Thompson, whose new five-year, $208 million rookie extension has changed the conversation. Only Victor Wembanyama, with his five-year, $252 million deal, has landed a bigger contract from that 2023 class.
That agreement gives Thompson leverage as a benchmark and makes life harder for Utah when it comes to George’s next contract. Earlier this year, the expectation was that the Jazz might be able to lock George in at around $30-32 million per year and preserve some future flexibility for Ace Bailey and Darryn Peterson. But George’s star turn, combined with Thompson’s deal, has pushed that number upward.
Now the figure looks closer to $40 million annually, and that would squeeze the Jazz’s cap picture even more. Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. already eat up nearly $100 million of the team’s cap this season by themselves.
The ripple effect may not stop there, either. Other notable players from the 2023 draft class are still waiting on extensions, including Brandon Miller of Charlotte, Ausar Thompson of Detroit, Scoot Henderson of Portland, Anthony Black of Orlando, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. of Milwaukee. If those deals climb, George’s price could go up again.
For Utah, the move is obvious: get to the table quickly and work something out with George’s agent. The Jazz can’t afford another situation like the one they had with Walker Kessler.
And if they want to keep their best young player in the fold, this is the time to make it happen.
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