Clarkson has developed into one of the best bench players in the NBA over recent years, making himself a Sixth Man of the Year candidate every year. The veteran averaged 17.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.6 assists and 1.7 threes per game last season. Most of those statistics dropped from previous years outside of the assists, and it's becoming clear that Utah wants him to be more of a playmaker than just a scorer. What also made the scoring drop off was his atrocious efficiency, shooting 41 percent from the field and 29 percent from three-point range. We have to assume his shooting numbers will creep back to career norms this year, and Clarkson could be asked to do even more. Utah didn't add much to this backcourt, and Clarkson will be one of the primary playmakers. Keyonte George and Collin Sexton are the only ones ahead of Clarkson, and we expect JC to get back to the 20-point scorer he was in years prior. If he could add that to the five assists a night, Clarkson could be one of the frontrunners for Sixth Man of the Year again. Considering this team is rebuilding, Clarkson could be one of the first players traded if Utah falls out of playoff contention. It's unlikely Clarkson sees an increased role anywhere else, but he's worth streaming as long as he has a key role in Utah.
