Well then ladies and gentleman, the love affair between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Reggie Jackson has finally come to an end. No more predicting or speculating what his future holds – at least not in Oklahoma City – and questioning just how committed he is to the team.
No more seeing Scott Brooks plead with him for more effort on defense then having to put on a happy front and constantly defend him when quizzed by the media.
More from Oklahoma City Thunder
- 3 Steps for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to enter the MVP race next season
- 5 NBA teams on the rise that will surprise everyone in 2023-24
- 5 players who will challenge Victor Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year
- What does Oklahoma City plan to do with an abundance of picks?
- Thunder Summer League: Notes from Holmgren’s chaotic yet magical play
It’s no secret the 24-year-old point guard wanted out of OKC. Time and time again he was openly vocal about his desires to become the kind of player that goes into the Hall of Fame one day, but he felt that wasn’t possible in Oklahoma City – at least not while he is coming off the bench and playing second fiddle to Russell Westbrook.
Now, he’s got his wish. With Brandon Jennings out with a torn Achilles, Jackson will be running the show in Detroit. He will finally have his chance to be a genuine leader, not just a temp. However, he certainly could have handled the whole thing a lot better than he did.
It’s all well and good to have big dreams, be ambitious and want to be great, rather than be your average (NBA) Joe. In fact, he deserves praise for it. Heck, you can’t even blame him for wanting a change of scenery – everyone is entitled to do so. But to air it repeatedly to the point where that’s the only thing folks talk about, doesn’t help anyone.
Ultimately, he became a distraction to the team, which is the last thing a team with championship aspirations wants.
Then when the trade went down, he didn’t exactly cover himself in glory either.
Crying tears of joy #godisgreat
— Reggie Jackson (@Reggie_Jackson) February 19, 2015
While some may argue that he is well within his rights to tweet that, it probably wasn’t the best of ideas when you consider his previous statements and even his lack of effort at times. It probably doesn’t paint him in a good light to the general managers he hopes will fork out big money to acquire him when he hits free agency this summer.
This whole situation certainly hasn’t endeared him to his former teammates.
“He got what he wanted. You can’t really –,” Kevin Durant said, before pausing to think for a moment. “He got what he wanted.
“We felt like everybody wanted to be here except for one guy. So it wasn’t like everybody was going crazy at shootaround. I went to sleep and woke up and we had new players. It goes like that sometimes. Everybody that wants to be here is here, we’re excited about our new guys, and it hurts to see [Kendrick Perkins] leave, but we’re still going to remain brothers until we’re both gone. It was definitely a tough day, but a good day as well.
“It’s tough, losing Perk. And other guys.”
Note how Durant only speaks of missing Perkins, not Jackson? All because he wasn’t constantly voicing his displeasure at about his situation. To be fair, Jackson did send a few tweets later on to show his gratitude to the organization and the fans.
I just want to thank the @okcthunder and the fans for all their support and nurturing during my career in OKC. It has been love since the
— Reggie Jackson (@Reggie_Jackson) February 19, 2015
Beginning. I will never forget the bonds or memories made here in OKC and i wish the organization and the team nothing but the best. I have
— Reggie Jackson (@Reggie_Jackson) February 19, 2015
Been blessed to be a part of the organization and community and there was nowhere better for me to grow as a player and a man. #ThankYouOKC
— Reggie Jackson (@Reggie_Jackson) February 19, 2015
Nonetheless, what’s done is done and both parties are happy with the results. Jackson gets what he wanted and the Thunder aren’t looking to shabby either.
Oklahoma City got Kyle Singler and D.J. Augustin from the Pistons as well as Enes Kanter and Steve Novak from the Utah Jazz. In exchange, all they had to give up was Kendrick Perkins, a couple of draft picks and the rights to Tibor Pleiss, who was drafted in 2010.
In Singler, a 40 percent 3-point shooter this season and Novak, a 43 percent 3-point shooter for his career, they address the need for additional scoring from beyond the arc as they currently own the sixth-worst percentage (32.5 percent).
In Augustin, they have already found Jackson’s replacement behind Westbrook. And, unlike his predecessor, he knows and accepts his role as the backup with open arms. He was averaging 10.6 points and 4.9 assists in 23.8 minutes while in Detroit. Although, that’s not to say he isn’t good enough to be a starter.
In the last 10 games he has started in place of Brandon Jennings, the 27-year-old has put up 20.3 points and converted nearly 47 percent of his field goals, in addition to dishing out 8.2 assists. Not bad, eh?
Then there’s Kanter, the cherry at the top of this trade. He gives Scott Brooks something he’s never had: a scorer in the low post. Serge Ibaka has the potential but he’s never shown an interest in that aspect of his game, meanwhile Perkins, Steven Adams and Nick Collison have, at some point or another, tried and failed.
Now, he has a big man who is both and willing and able to score with his back to the basket.
Plus, his expiring rookie deal which will earn him $5.6 million a heck of a lot cheaper than Brook Lopez’s, which will earn him $15.7 million this year and potentially $16.7 million next year.
More from Hoops Habit
- The 5 most dominant NBA players who never won a championship
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout