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Jazz Sign George to $157.5M Extension
Confirmed
In Short: The Utah Jazz have signed guard Keyonte George to a five-year, $157.5 million contract extension.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Keyonte George has agreed to a five-year, $157.5 million rookie-scale contract extension with the Utah Jazz.
The deal, which includes $2.5 million in bonuses, does not include team or player options and will account for 16% of the Jazz’s salary cap for the 2026-2027 NBA season.
Chosen as the 16th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, George delivered a breakout run during the 2025-26 NBA season, averaging 23.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game.
George’s contract extension is for the maximum of five years, unlike the four-year deal signed by Walker Kessler, who became a restricted free agent this summer.
Austin Ainge, Jazz president of basketball operations, praised George’s leadership and commitment, stating, “Keyonte’s leadership, growth, and commitment to what we’re building make him an integral part of this franchise’s future.”
The Jazz’s decision to lock in George now avoids a potential repeat of the Kessler situation, where the team had to decide whether to match an offer sheet from another team.
George’s annual average salary during the contract extension will be similar to players like Immanuel Quickley, Jordan Poole, Derrick White, Jalen Suggs, and Tyler Herro, who have shown flashes of stardom or are fringe All-Stars.
The deal will go into effect in 2027/28 after George earns $6.56 million in the final year of his rookie scale contract in 2026/27.
George’s breakout season in 2025-26 saw him increase his points per game average from 16.8 to 23.6 and improve his shooting percentages.
The Jazz hope that George, along with rookie Darryn Peterson, will form a cornerstone of the franchise for years to come.
While George’s defensive limitations were a concern, the Jazz’s long-term commitment signals their belief in his ability to continue improving defensively and fit well alongside this year’s No.
The deal solidifies the Jazz’s investment in their young core, ensuring George remains a foundational piece as they continue to chase their ultimate goal: a championship.
What this adds
The deal is the third rookie scale extension signed by a first-rounder in the 2023 draft class, joining Victor Wembanyama and Amen Thompson.
George’s most recent season was encouraging, but he appeared in only 54 games, the fewest of his career and a relatively small sample size for such a substantial commitment.
Background
The Utah Jazz have locked up point guard Keyonte George with a five-year, $157.5 million contract extension.
What's confirmed
- According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Keyonte George has agreed to a five-year, $157.5 million rookie-scale contract extension with the franchise.
- “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.
What's still developing
- NBA insider Jake Fischer also adds that George's five-year deal includes $2.5 million in bonuses, with $500,000 available each season.
- George was selected 16th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft and is a member of the same draft class as Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, who is also extension-eligible this offseason.
- George has posted marked statistical improvements year-over-year, averaging 22.3 points while shooting 45% from the field and 37% from beyond the 3-point arc in his most recent campaign.
- It all probably amounts to a good middle ground of sorts for both the Jazz and George.
- In his third season in the NBA in 2025-26, George took a huge leap, increasing his points per game average over the previous season from 16.8 to 23.6 and shot much better from all areas of the floor.
- “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.” 10:04 am : The Jazz and guard Keyonte George have reached an agreement on a rookie scale extension that will be worth $157.5MM over five years, sources tell Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon of ESPN ( Twitter link ).
- In 2025/26, George averaged 23.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 33.1 minutes per game over the course of 54 outings (all starts) before missing the final month of the season due to a hamstring strain.
- While neither George nor Peterson is a traditional point guard, Utah is said to have confidence in the duo’s ability to share ball-handling and play-making responsibilities in the backcourt.
- George is the third first-rounder in the 2023 draft class to sign a rookie scale extension this offseason, joining Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama and Rockets guard Amen Thompson.
- The 6’4″ combo guard immediately emerged as a rotation player for the rebuilding Jazz as a rookie and has steadily increased his production in each of his three NBA seasons.
- Ultimately, the Jazz needed to begin investing in their young core.