Joe Ingles lands massive new $20 million payday

Australian forward Joe Ingles has extended his contract with the Utah Jazz by one year and $US14 million ($A20 million).

Ingles signed a four-year $US52-million contract with the Jazz in 2017 and the team, knowing the Australian will likely have other NBA suitors, have added a year to the deal.

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ESPN, quoting his agent Mark Bartelstein, reported on Monday Ingles had signed a one-year, $US14 million extension.

It will keep the 32-year-old under contract with the franchise through to the 2021-22 season.

Ingles played all 82 games in the 2018-19 season, averaging 12 points, four rebounds and 5.7 assists in 31 minutes per game.

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The South Australian has emerged as a crucial playmaker and shooter for the Jazz, particularly since the departure of Gordon Hayward in free agency two seasons ago.

Widely expected to fall out of contention after Hayward’s departure, the combination of Ingles’ improved play and the emergence of Donovan Mitchell ensured the Jazz remained at the pointy end of the NBA’s highly competitive Western Conference.

Ingles’ contract extension comes as the Jazz signal their intention to use the popular wing as a sixth man this season.

The addition of power forward Bojan Bogdanovic as a free agent in the off-season created a crunch in the Jazz’ starting lineup, with Ingles’ superior passing ability making him the more logical choice to come off the bench.

Ingles will likely be a closer in coach Quin Synder’s lineup. The Jazz also extended their head coach’s contract earlier in the week.

The Jazz’ season starts on Thursday, when they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

WITH AAP