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Jazz Sign Keyonte George to $157.5M Extension
Confirmed
In Short: The Utah Jazz have agreed to a five-year, $157.5 million contract extension with star guard Keyonte George.
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, with $500,000 available each season, 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 of the 2023 Draft, George delivered a breakout run during the 2025-26 NBA season, averaging 23.6 points in 45.6 percent shooting with 6.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds.
George's performance marked a significant improvement from his previous season, where he averaged 16.8 points in 39.1 percent shooting.
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 extension ensures that George will remain with the Jazz, avoiding a potential restricted free agent situation similar to Walker Kessler’s this summer.
By signing George now, the Jazz have secured their point guard for the future, teaming him with rookie Darryn Peterson to form a cornerstone of the franchise.
George’s contract extension is for the maximum of five years, similar to the deals signed by players like Immanuel Quickley, Jordan Poole, Derrick White, Jalen Suggs, and Tyler Herro.
The Jazz’s commitment to George signals their belief in his ability to continue improving defensively and fit well alongside the team’s young core.
George, who will turn 23 in November, was the 16th overall pick in the 2023 draft and has steadily increased his production in each of his three NBA seasons.
What this adds
The deal will go into effect in 2027/28 after George earns $6.56MM in the final year of his rookie scale contract in ’26/27.
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
- 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 deal will go into effect in 2027/28 after George earns $6.56MM in the final year of his rookie scale contract in ’26/27.
- As productive as George has become on offense, it was unclear how aggressively the Jazz would attempt to lock him up to a rookie scale extension due to his limitations on the other end of the floor.
- Ultimately, the Jazz needed to begin investing in their young core.