Phoenix Suns: Top free agent targets when free agency period begins

4. Reggie Jackson

When the Detroit Pistons shipped out Andre Drummond to the Cleveland Cavaliers just before the NBA’s trade deadline, it was apparent that the rebuilding process was underway in the Motor City. Which in turn, signified the imminent departure of one the city’s beloved over the last few years: Reggie Jackson.

Jackson and the Pistons agreed to a buyout just days after Drummond’s departure, and the subsequent search was on for Jackson to find a new destination he could call home. One factor, above all others, was considered as top criteria for him: winning.

And so, Jackson reached a deal with the LA Clippers, where he could comfortably provide back up duties to Patrick Beverly for the remainder of the season in hopes of an extended title run come summertime.

Plans have a funny way of taking on their own nature though, and with the current NBA landscape an inoperative ghost town, impending free agents will have plenty of time to take on what they thought would be a task they could procrastinate upon until mid-June: making plans for next season.

For Jackson, winning is likely the only thing he’s concerned with. He’s only getting older at 30 years of age, and the injury bug hasn’t always quite been compassionate with him. He only suited up for 14 games in Detroit this year because of a nagging back problem and has appeared in just 23 total contests on the year.

He’s proven he can put the ball in the basket at all three levels, and despite attitude problems in Detroit, including a few bouts with Stan Van Gundy and a derogatory sneer aimed at a fan he’d soon like to forget, Jackson can add an established veteran presence to any locker room, something that is much-needed in Phoenix.

Whether or not he sees championship potential in the Valley will be the ultimate ruminating question that fuels his decision, but a three-way tandem of Jackson, Booker and Ayton, if all are healthy, poses nothing but expected good fortunes for the trio.