I don't know what Clarkson is thinking if ever this is true, the link is unknown to me so I won't jump the gun yet. from @boyptc
But if ever it happens I'd accept what Jazz is offering. It doesn't mean a bigger salary once they put you in the starter unit from the 6th man of the year.
He is changing, I guess it's too obvious not to see.
Bigger markets might be his target but being the face of the franchise is also a goal most NBA players are trying to achieve. He is now part of that duo with Markkanen and I think the Jazz management likes to keep it that way.
But, if he will force this kind of decision then he might find himself hanging waiting for a new contract.
But let's say Clarkson doesn't have a backup plan if he decided to decline a contract that Jazz will offer, I'm sure lots of teams will try to give him the best offers unlike in the case of Dennis Schroder who fully believes in himself that he is worth more than $84M four-year contract extension but ended up in a $5.9 million 1-year contract in the Boston Celtics.
In terms of playing level, Jordan Clarkson for me is pretty ahead of Schroder, and he is capable of carrying a team even though he is just a role player.
Declining a contract that Jazz will offer him will not result in the same as what happened to Dennis Schroder. But I agree with you, he needs to stay on Jazz.