Jazz lock in Keyonte George with a multiyear extension as part of a major rebuild

Jazz guard Keyonte George signed a multiyear extension Friday, securing for Utah a key element in their rebuilding project.

The club did not announce the terms, but ESPN reported it was a five-year, $157.5 million extension. The deal takes him through the 2031-32 season.

“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. “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.”

George, taken 16th in the 2023 NBA draft, comes off a season in which he produced career highs of 23.6 points and 6.1 assists per game while averaging 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

He is part of a Jazz core that also includes veterans Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. as well as Darryn Peterson and Ace Bailey, lottery picks in the two most recent drafts. Peterson was selected second overall this year and Bailey went fifth in 2025.

Utah has been in a major rebuild, winning a combined 39 games over the past two seasons. The Jazz have not produced a winning record since going 49-33 in 2021-22 season, after which they overhauled their roster, trading All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.

The NBA fined the Jazz $500,000 in February for not playing Markkanen and Jackson in the fourth quarter of close games against Miami and Orlando because the league said the team was trying to improve its draft position. Jazz owner Ryan Smith said on social media that wasn’t the case, pointing out Utah beat the Heat.

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