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The Jazz just extended Keyonte George to huge deal. Was it worth it?

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The Jazz just extended Keyonte George to huge deal. Was it worth it?

One of the bright young stars of the NBA — and perhaps a player you’ve never even heard of — just locked in a massive extension that affirms his status as an essential piece on an ascending team.

The Utah Jazz and Keyonte George have agreed to a five-year, $157.5 million rookie-scale contract extension, a person with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the deal because it had not been formally announced.

As with all contract extensions, the instant question becomes: is it worth it?

George flies under the radar because of the market he plays in, but he’s a fourth-year player who has seen his numbers and efficiency metrics tick up every season, he’s 22 and he has the potential to be part of what could be an elite backcourt pairing in Utah, alongside No. 2 overall selection Darryn Peterson.

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NBA draft No. 1 picks since 1990: From Derrick Coleman to AJ Dybantsa

2026: AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards

(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)

There had been some speculation that Peterson, who like George can play both point guard and shooting guard, would make George redundant. This deal confirms that the two will be simultaneous features.

That grants Utah immense flexibility with its offense, as the Jazz are poised to become a breakout team in 2026-27 and beyond.

Utah has missed the playoffs the last four seasons and has won just 107 of a possible 328 games in that span, including only 39 of 164 across the last two seasons. The Jazz tanked their way to the No. 2 selection and now have an intriguing, young roster that could make some noise, even in the crowded Western Conference and even as soon as this season.

George averaged career highs in points (23.6 per game), assists (6.1), field goal percentage (45.6%), 3-point percentage (37.1%), win shares (3.3), player efficiency rating (18.5), steals (1.1) and other metrics last season.

He became one of only nine players in the league last season who surpassed the 23-point, 6-assist threshold on a per-game basis. The others: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, Luka Dončić, Tyrese Maxey, Cade Cunningham, Devin Booker, Jamal Murray and James Harden. Those eight players, for reference, have 34 combined All-Star appearances.

George has become a three-tier scorer who is as comfortable slashing past defenders and finishing in the paint as he is lacing stepback 3s. His midrange game is fluid and he can operate off the ball. He’s a plus defender.

This deal is a reward for George’s past performance, but it’s also an investment in the future. At an average of $31.5 million per season, it could become a relative bargain. By comparison, that average annual salary puts him just below Magic guard Jalen Suggs, who averaged 13.8 points and 5.5 assists per game, and Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon.

For a young Jazz team that should suddenly compete, that’s good business.

“Keyonte has changed all of our expectations for him, and I think that’s a good thing,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said Dec. 15, 2025, after George dropped 37 points in an overtime victory against the Mavericks. “I think that does make us feel differently about him in terms of our roster and what that could mean moving forward.

“You know, he has become a real centerpiece of our organization, and it’s because of the work he has put in as a player and the work he has put in on himself as a young man.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The Jazz just extended Keyonte George to huge deal. Was it worth it?

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