OKC Trade Rumors: Reggie Jackson Stays Put for Now
The Oklahoma City Thunder completed a trade last night with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks. Although the trade has been finalized, Thunder guard Reggie Jackson was reportedly in the mix before the Thunder decided to take him off the trade block.
Before the trade was completed Jackson was very confused about his future since multiple reports and sources were stating different things. At one point, Jackson thought he would be sent to New York.
"I was traded," Jackson said per NewsOK.com reported by CBSSports.com. "I was thinking I was going to go home and pack and that was about it."
Despite these reported, Jackson added that the two people closest to him, who are his agent and his brother, did not notify him at all about any potential moves. At the end of the day, the confusion surrounding the trade talks ended, at least for now.
Jackson could be the subject of trade rumors since he will become a restricted free agent next season. Jackson has also expressed his desire to become a starter. However with Russell Westbrook healthy, becoming a permanent starter is highly unlikely.
If the Thunder choose to keep Jackson, who has been performing extremely well this season, it will probably still be Jackon's last season. Rumors are that the Thunder's offer will not be enough to keep Jackson in Oklahoma City.
"With Waiters under the Thunder's control for next year, Oklahoma City has a bit of leverage in negotiations with Jackson this summer. Why would it break the bank to keep a reserve who wants to be a starter when it already has a younger player with similar talents who is still on his rookie contract?
Of course, the Thunder could avoid the hassle of negotiating with Jackson by dealing the 24-year-old before the Feb. 19 deadline. This way, Jackson could get his chance to start elsewhere, and Oklahoma City could avoid any potential conflict and fully commit to Waiters as its main man off the bench."
Jackson averages 15.2 points per game with 4.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists, which are all career highs.
