NBA Free Agency: 3 best landing spots for Reggie Jackson

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: Reggie Jackson #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts after making a three point basket against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter at Staples Center on April 09, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

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NBA free agency, Reggie Jackson Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images /

Destinations for Reggie Jackson in NBA free agency: 3. LA Clippers

Let’s start with Jackson’s current team. The point guard showed up for owner Steve Ballmer’s club, especially during the postseason, and they’d likely love to have him back for another run.

Jackson joined the team midway through the 2019-20 season, just weeks before it was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He didn’t do a ton for the team last season, particularly during the playoffs, but became indispensable this past season.

Nevertheless, the Clippers may not be interested in paying a point guard over 30 a ton of money. In fact, they’re already doing so with two point guards older than Jackson, Rajon Rondo and Patrick Beverley, both of whom are still on the books next season. Rondo is set to make $8.25 million in the last year of his deal, while Beverley will make over $14.3 million before he hits unrestricted free agency.

Part of the problem is that they all bring a different element. Jackson is the best scorer of the bunch, but Beverley is the best defender and Rondo the best distributor. None are the long-term future, of course, but this is a team operating in a contending window while George and Leonard are around.

Trying to maximize that window, Jackson is the best bet of the three and it might be worth pushing towards the tax to bring him back – Steve Ballmer can certainly afford it. But the Clippers should also start looking towards a point guard in the draft, for the sake of the future.

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