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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.
The Utah Jazz have signed Keyonte George to a fully guaranteed five-year, $157.5 million contract extension, locking him in as a cornerstone player for the franchise.
George, 22, broke out in his third NBA season, averaging 23.6 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game, marking a significant improvement from his previous season.
At the press conference, George expressed his commitment to the Jazz, stating, “Committing to the Utah Jazz long-term was a no-brainer.”
Austin Ainge, Jazz president of basketball operations, emphasized George’s importance to the team, saying, “Keyonte’s leadership, growth, and commitment to what we’re building make him an integral part of this franchise’s future.”
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 contract extension is for the maximum of five years, unlike the four-year extension that Walker Kessler signed with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer.
The Jazz’s bold plans to compete next season now include George alongside Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ace Bailey, and Darryn Peterson.
George’s breakout run in the 2025-26 season impressed many, with his shooting percentages improving from 39.1% to 45.6% and his points per game increasing from 16.8 to 23.6.
The deal does not include team or player options, and will account for 16% of the Jazz’s salary cap for the 2026-2027 NBA season.
By securing George’s long-term commitment, the Jazz avoid a potential repeat of the Kessler situation, where George could have become a restricted free agent next summer.
What this adds
This development came as a surprise, as past reports suggested George and Utah were unlikely to reach a rookie-scale contract extension this offseason.
Background
The Utah Jazz have agreed to a five-year, $157.5 million contract extension with star guard Keyonte George.
The Utah Jazz have locked up point guard Keyonte George with a five-year, $157.5 million contract extension.
What's confirmed
- The Utah Jazz have signed Keyonte George to a fully guaranteed five-year, $157.5 million contract extension.
What's still developing
- When the time ultimately comes for Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper to sign their own extensions, the Spurs will likely have to compete with what Utah gave George—and learned how expensive a discounted price would still be.
- As an apparent bridge between the Jazz's youth movement and its veteran stars in the frontcourt, George has cemented his status as a cornerstone in Utah.
- This development came as a surprise, as past reports suggested George and Utah are unlikely to reach a rookie-scale contract extension this offseason.
- In the end, both sides have landed a new deal that locks George as the Jazz's floor general in the long run.
- 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.
- The Detroit Pistons locked in another piece of their young core by agreeing to a five-year, $155 million extension with wing Ausar Thompson, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
- Thompson's twin brother, Amen, previously signed a $208 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets.
- That said, as KSL’s Chandler Holt observed, George’s annual average salary during the contract extension will be similar to the likes of Immanuel Quickley, Jordan Poole, Derrick White, Jalen Suggs and Tyler Herro, players who have either shown flashes of stardom or are fringe All-Stars, but who aren’t in the NBA’s upper echelon of guards.
- 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 ).