4 NBA veterans doing too much for their rebuilding teams

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - NOVEMBER 18: Mike Conley #11 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a three point play during a game against the Phoenix Suns at Vivint Arena on November 18, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

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Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz runs up the court against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of their game November 23, 2022 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images) /

3. Jordan Clarkson — Utah Jazz

The Filipino Flame Thrower is back at it, only now in a starting role instead of coming off the pine. After two years and a half playing on relief duties for the Jazz, Clarkson has finally found a place in the starting lineup with Donovan Mitchel’s departure from Salt Lake City. And the 30-year-old veteran he’s surely hit the ground running.

After putting together an extraordinary season in 2020-21 that ended earning him the Sixth Man of the Year award thanks to (mostly) hitting 18.4 points per game while posting a 42.5/34.7/89.6 shooting-splits line, Clarkson is raising the bar playing in a stiffer context as a starter.

J-Clark is scoring 19 points per game this year to go with career-highs in boards (4.0) and dimes (4.9) per game. The shooting is bonkers with Clarkson hoisting more shots than ever (16.2 per game) but nailing them at a 42.7 clip while also hitting treys at the highest percentage of his career (35.2 percent) at his current volume (7.8 3-point attempts per game).

Clarkson bagged some starts in Los Angeles in his early 20s but then built a career as an off-the-pine microwave. Turns out he never lost his full-time oven abilities while aging gracefully.

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