NBA Notes: Jazz, Keyonte George, Cavs, Peyton Watson, Pelicans

Jazz

The Jazz have officially identified another foundational piece.

Utah announced Friday that Keyonte George signed a five-year rookie-scale extension reportedly worth $157.5 million. The agreement begins in 2027/28 and contains no player or team option, according to Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon of ESPN.

Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported that the deal includes $500,000 in annual incentives, putting its likely base value at $155 million.

“Keyonte’s leadership, growth, and commitment to what we’re building make him an integral part of this franchise’s future,” Jazz president of basketball operations Austin Ainge said in the team’s announcement.

George earned the investment with a breakout third season. The 22-year-old averaged 23.6 points, 6.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals while shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 37.1 percent on 3-pointers.

His defense remains the obvious question. Utah has finished 29th or 30th in defensive rating during each of George’s three seasons, and advanced metrics have not graded him kindly on that end.

The Jazz are betting that George’s offense and continued growth outweigh those concerns. They also believe he can share playmaking duties with No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson, even though neither is a traditional point guard.

At an average of approximately $31 million annually before incentives, George is being paid like an important piece without approaching the projected maximum.

Now he has to become the foundational player Utah just called him.

Cavaliers

Peyton Watson sees playing behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen as permission to become even more disruptive defensively.

Watson said Cleveland’s two rim protectors should allow him to pressure opposing players, attack passing lanes and take more chances on the perimeter.

“I feel like it just gives me a lot more leeway and a lot more rope to be more aggressive defensively,” Watson said, at his introductory press conference. “I think playing the passing lanes more aggressively and really push up on guys more knowing that I have that back line behind me and I have elite rim protection in JA and Evan.”

That is part of what attracted the Cavs to Watson after he averaged career highs of 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists for Denver last season. He also shot 41.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Cleveland president of basketball operations Koby Altman believes the 24-year-old can help immediately without being close to a finished product.

“He’s going to help us win some games, but I’m also really excited about his trajectory with us,” Altman said.

Watson’s offense will receive plenty of attention after signing a four-year, $88 million contract. His first responsibility, however, will be making life uncomfortable for opposing wings before they ever reach Mobley or Allen.

Pelicans

Saddiq Bey’s three-year, $55.5 million extension with the Pelicans is now official.

“Saddiq represents the culture we are establishing in New Orleans with his toughness, work ethic, and commitment to the team,” executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in the team’s announcement.

The fully guaranteed extension begins at $20.1 million in 2027/28 and descends to $16.9 million in its final season, according to Shamit Dua of In The NO. Bey also received a trade kicker worth the lesser of $1 million or 15 percent. He will be ineligible to be traded for six months.

Bey averaged 17.7 points and 5.6 rebounds last season after missing all of 2024/25 while recovering from a torn ACL.

New Orleans has now secured a productive starting forward at a number that should become increasingly manageable as the salary cap rises.