Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports is reporting that Oklahoma City Thunder backup guard Reggie Jackson has requested a trade before Thursday’s deadline.
After failing to reach an agreement on a rookie contract extension with the Thunder in October, Jackson will become a restricted free agent in July. Jackson has been determined to seek a starting point guard job, something that’s unavailable to him playing behind Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City. If Jackson chooses against signing an offer sheet this summer, he could sign a one-year qualifying offer with the Thunder and become an unrestricted free agent in 2016.
Jackson has had a turbulent season with the Thunder, including his relationship with coach Scott Brooks. Jackson’s role has been diminished, especially since the arrival of Dion Waiters in a January trade. Jackson has averaged 12.4 points, 4.2 assists and four rebounds for the Thunder this season.
Nevertheless, Jackson has remained a coveted commodity on the point guard market, and an asset with whom the Thunder won’t part without bringing back significant value.
According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, rival NBA teams expect the Thunder to trade Jackson before the deadline. Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report has sources telling him that the Milwaukee Bucks could be a trade partner, offering Jerryd Bayless or John Henson in return. Bucher also notes that Jackson would give the Bucks some crucial playoff experience (he’s played in 30 postseason games, more than anyone on Milwaukee’s roster except ZaZa Pachulia and Kenyon Martin).
Jackson is averaging 12.8 points and 4.2 assists per game this season.
After spending the first 17 years of his Post career writing and editing, Matt and the printed paper had an amicable divorce in 2014. He's now blogging and editing for the Early Lead and the Post's other Web-based products.
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