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'Nowhere else I’d want to be': Utah Jazz wing Joe Ingles agrees to contract extension

Joe Ingles’ career has taken him all over the world, from Australia to Spain, Israel to the United States. And after finding a home, the Utah Jazz forward isn’t interested in packing his things for a long while.

“I’m not trying to move anytime soon,” he said.

Good news: Ingles won’t have to. The veteran forward has signed a contract extension, the Utah Jazz announced Monday. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Ingles said he is happy to be in a Jazz uniform for the foreseeable future.

“For the Jazz to have the faith in me to give an extension to an old man like me, it’s great,” Ingles said. “For me, there’s nowhere else I’d want to be or play, so it was an easy decision.”

Ingles, 32, had multiple years left on his existing deal and said he didn’t even know an extension at this time was a possibility until recently.

“I’ve never played for a contract or money or any of those things,” he said. “But when you know you don’t want to be anywhere else … it was an easy decision. I’m glad I don’t have to think about it for a long time now.”

Ingles had just been cut by the Los Angeles Clippers, unsure where his career was headed when the Jazz acquired him off waivers in 2014. Five years later, Ingles has established himself as one of the NBA’s top 100 players, a deadly pick-and-roll player, a 3-point threat, a trash-talker extraordinaire, and a fan favorite in Utah.

“From where I’ve come from 5-6 years ago to getting to this position, it’s more than I could have ever asked,” Ingles said.

Ingles said the Jazz organization has made him feel like family and said he and his wife, Renae, and their two children have found a home in Utah. He pointed to the support the franchise and the fans gave his family when their son, Jacob, was diagnosed with autism.

“Since having the kids, especially, they’ve been so welcoming,” he said. “Everyone around here has been unbelievable.”

Ingles is coming off a career year. The Aussie wing averaged 12.12 points and 5.72 assists per game last season, both career highs, while starting every game for the Jazz.

The forward’s contract extension comes just days after Jazz head coach Quin Snyder agreed to a long-term extension of his own. With Snyder at the helm, general manager Justin Zanik and executive vice president Dennis Lindsey in the front office, and a revamped roster, Ingles said he is excited for what the next few years will hold.

“So much has gone on the last few months with our new signings and [Coach Snyder’s extension] and then this came up and it kind of put the cherry on top,” Ingles said. “We’re really excited to start the season with the guys that are here. It’s an exciting team. It’s on us to go out there and do the work and make the fans and the organization proud.”