The Utah Jazz have grow to be extra optimistic about reaching a rookie-scale extension with Keyonte George earlier than the deadline, in response to ESPN’s Tim McMahon.
“I’ve been telling you I didn’t assume that an extension could be forthcoming for Keyonte George,” McMahon mentioned on The Hoop Collective podcast, by way of HoopsHype. “I used to be knowledgeable that, hey, there’s a bit of bit extra optimism of that probably taking place than there had been even every week or two in the past. There’s an opportunity that there may very well be a gathering within the center.”
George is getting into the ultimate season of his four-year, $18.8 million rookie contract, giving Utah a call on whether or not to safe one in all its most essential younger items earlier than he reaches restricted free company.
The Jazz previously appeared unlikely to finalize a long-term agreement with George, preferring to guage whether or not his breakout 2025-26 season represented a sustainable leap earlier than committing important cash. Nonetheless, the 2 sides might now be transferring nearer to discovering widespread floor.
George took a serious step ahead in his third NBA season, rising as one in all Utah’s major offensive choices. The 22-year-old guard averaged 23.6 factors, 6.1 assists and three.7 rebounds in 54 video games whereas beginning each contest.
After capturing 39.1% from the sector in every of his first two seasons, George improved his effectivity considerably in 2025-26. He related on 45.6% of his field-goal makes an attempt, 37.1% from three-point vary and 89.2% from the free-throw line, posting a .532 efficient field-goal share and a .609 true capturing share.
George additionally elevated his scoring quantity whereas turning into extra environment friendly as a pick-and-roll creator. His 6.1 assists per sport ranked second on the Jazz behind Isaiah Collier, whereas his 3.1 turnovers per sport remained an space for enchancment as he took on a bigger offensive position.
Utah’s resolution on George comes because the franchise continues constructing round a younger core. The Jazz completed the 2025-26 season with a 22-60 report, the worst mark within the Western Convention, however George’s growth gave the group a possible long-term backcourt cornerstone alongside current lottery additions.
The Jazz additionally confronted extension questions with Walker Kessler earlier than the middle was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Utah had reportedly provided Kessler a five-year, $140 million extension earlier than the perimeters failed to achieve an settlement.
In contrast to Kessler, George’s contract state of affairs is tied extra on to his offensive upside. The guard entered the league because the No. 16 decide within the 2023 NBA Draft and averaged 13.0 factors and 4.4 assists as a rookie earlier than enhancing to 16.8 factors and 5.6 assists in his second season.
A possible extension would give Utah price certainty whereas persevering with its funding in a growing roster that now contains No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson, Lauri Markkanen and different younger gamers similar to Ace Bailey, Brice Sensabaugh and Kyle Filipowski.
