Oklahoma City Thunder backup point guard Reggie Jackson is set to become a restricted free agent in the summer, and Jackson understands the possibility that he could be on the move, according to Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports.
NBA trade rumors 2015: Reggie Jackson understands he could be moved
The Thunder point guard is in a tough spot as he heads into restricted free agency in the summer, and he understands the possibility of him changing teams in the near future.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jackson is in a tough spot. The 24-year-old wants to be a starting point guard for a winner, but that won't happen with the Thunder as long as Russell Westbrook is around. And now with Dion Waiters on board, Jackson has seen his playing dwindle from around 28 minutes per game as a super-sub to 20 minutes per game.
Jackson and the Thunder tried to come to an agreement on a contract extension prior to this season, but it wasn’t meant to be. Jackson reportedly wanted a new contract with an average annual value close to Eric Bledsoe’s five-year, $70 million extension, while Oklahoma City was willing to offer around $12 million a year.
Jackson knows all about the business of sports, and he understands that could mean going elsewhere:
“My ultimate goal is always to win a championship ... (but) whatever is the next move is the next move,” Jackson told USA TODAY Sports. “I’m just going to be here and be the best player I can be, day in and day out. When I go on the court I hope it shows. I want to compete at the highest level, always trying to get better. But if you have to move, it is what it is.
“It’s funny. I don’t think the league likes to hear when players say that we understand it’s a business, but for (general managers) and owners they get to throw that card around. Like I said, I always understand that it’s a possibility, but I just enjoy playing the game.”
Oklahoma City could look to trade Jackson ahead of the Feb. 19 trade deadline so they don’t lose him for nothing in the summer, although any offer sheet he signs could still be matched. Jackson was initially reported as part of the Waiters deal, and while it turns out Jackson’s name wasn’t in those trade talks, it led to speculation that he could be dealt soon.
However, even with his playing time dwindling, Jackson remains an important part of a Thunder team that's fighting to get back into the playoff picture. Oklahoma City is currently 3½ games behind the Phoenix Suns for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, so the Thunder have their work cut out for them.
If Jackson doesn’t get moved this season and heads into the offseason as a restricted free agent, he has the option of signing a $3.2 million qualifying offer to stay in Oklahoma City for at least one more year before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2016. That decision would carry some risk, but with the cap set for a high jump, it could also lead to a more lucrative contract down the road.
Trade Rumors
Cavaliers seeking veteran backup point guard
Cleveland could use some help at point guard behind Kyrie Irving, and general manager David Griffin is looking to make a trade to bolster that position, according to Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports.
Irving is second in the league in minutes per game at 38.3, thanks in large part to there being no legitimate backup behind him. Matthew Dellavedova can play spot minutes and Iman Shumpert could be useful when he returns from injury, but an upgrade would be useful.
Two players who won't be pursued are the recently bought out Nate Robinson and Jordan Farmar:
Beyond initial inquire, recently bought out point guards in Nate Robinson and Jordan Farmar will not be pursued by #Cavs, I'm told.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 19, 2015 Robinson and Farmar have struggled this season, so the Cavaliers aren't missing out on much. Another team with apparently little interest in Robinson is the Miami Heat, who haven't responded after the diminutive point guard reached out to the team, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Goodwin losing patience with Suns
Phoenix has a logjam at the guard position, and 2013 first-round pick Archie Goodwin has been an odd man out in his first two seasons. Goodwin knows he has to improve and that he's behind quality players on the depth chart, but that doesn't make him any less frustrated about his lack of opportunity, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News:
“If it don’t come next year, I’m not going to take it,” Goodwin said. “That’s basically what it’s going to come down to. But that’s not for me to worry about, that’s for my agent to talk to those guys about.”
Goodwin also lamented some of the recent moves made that added guards to the roster, including the acquisition of Isaiah Thomas, drafting of Tyler Ennis, signing of Zoran Dragic and recent trade for Reggie Bullock.
Goodwin was excellent over the weekend at the D-League Showcase, earning MVP honors. The 20-year-old is set to be called back up to the big club, but there’s little reason to believe he’ll see much of the court. For now, he must do whatever he can to work on his game so he can be effective if the opportunity arises.
Thomas could make NBA return with Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are in discussions to sign Tyrus Thomas to a 10-day contract, according to Spears. The Grizzlies recently had 10-day contracts turned down by JaMychal Green and James Michael McAdoo.
Thomas has been out of the NBA for nearly two years after getting amnestied by the Charlotte Bobcats, but he recently signed a contract with the Iowa Energy of the D-League and has played well.
Thomas, 28, is averaging 14 points and 7.5 rebounds off the bench for Iowa.
In other D-League call-up news, Andre Dawkins could be headed to the Boston Celtics on a 10-day contract.
On my way out of town: ESPN sources say Celtics bringing Sioux Falls sharpshooter Andre Dawkins to Boston this week with view to a 10-day
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 19, 2015 The former Duke standout saw limited action with the Heat earlier this season.
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