Utah has put another cornerstone under contract, reaching agreement with Keyonte George on a five-year rookie extension worth $157.5 million. The 22-year-old guard is coming off the best season of his three-year NBA run, and the Jazz are now set to keep their lead ball-handler in the middle of a young, increasingly loaded roster.
George cashes in after third-year jump
George, the 16th selection in the 2023 NBA Draft, turned his 2025-26 season into a clear extension case. He posted career highs across the board while taking on a bigger offensive workload for Utah.
- 23.6 points per game
- 6.1 assists per game
- 1.1 steals per game
- 45.6% shooting from the field
- 37.1% shooting from 3-point range
His scoring and assist averages have climbed in each of his first three NBA seasons. The new deal gives the Jazz long-term cost certainty around a guard who has steadily grown from a young shot creator into one of the club’s central offensive pieces.
A new-look Utah core takes shape
The extension arrives as Utah continues to stack high-end talent around George. He is expected to share the backcourt this season with Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 pick in the 2026 draft.
The rest of the group includes Ace Bailey, selected fifth overall in 2025, alongside established frontcourt names Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. Markkanen is a former All-Star, while Jackson joined the Jazz following a trade and brings a Kia Defensive Player of the Year award to the roster.
- Keyonte George: signed to a five-year, $157.5 million extension after his breakout 2025-26 campaign.
- Darryn Peterson: Utah’s No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
- Ace Bailey: the No. 5 selection in the 2025 draft.
- Lauri Markkanen: former NBA All-Star and a veteran scoring presence.
- Jaren Jackson Jr.: former Kia Defensive Player of the Year acquired in a recent trade.
For the Jazz, George’s agreement keeps the timeline intact: a proven 22-year-old lead guard, two premium recent draft picks, and a frontcourt built with both scoring and defensive pedigree.
