Reggie Jackson is likely to stay put because of the Pistons’ high asking price, league executives told Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today (Twitter link).
The team’s front office — headed by president of basketball operations and coach Stan Van Gundy and GM Jeff Bower — has been aggressively shopping the point guard, Chris Mannix of The Vertical tweets, and is seeking a first-round pick, young player and an expiring contract in return.
The large package that the Pistons want for Jackson could indicate that they believe his inconsistent play this season is injury-related and that he’ll return to top form next season, Rod Beard of the Detroit News speculates (Twitter link). Jackson missed the first 21 games after receiving a plasma-rich injection for knee tendinitis during training camp. Jackson is averaging 15.2 PPG and 5.6 APG since his return after posting averages of 18.8 PPG and 6.2 APG last season when Detroit won 44 games and made the playoffs.
Jackson has been the subject of trade speculation for weeks, with the Timberwolves and Magic at the forefront of potential suitors. A Jackson-for-Ricky-Rubio rumor surfaced last month, though Van Gundy quickly shot it down. The Orlando discussions involved D.J. Augustin and Jeff Green but the Magic currently have nothing cooking for either Jackson or Rubio, Sam Amick of USA Today tweets. However, Jake L. Fischer of SI.com tweets that Orlando can get Jackson if it’s willing to part with a valuable first-rounder.
I am a Pistons fan and as a fan i would rather have Rubio over Reggie.
Same here. I understand the are in playoff contention, but this team needs to be shook up. It’s not working.
i agree man, there is just no chemistry once so ever. I think it starts with moving Drummond honestly. I hope SVG makes a move but it is looking more and more like nothing will happen. Unless of course we move Drummond or Reggie, either or i am fine with.
I almost think the play would be to move Andre. I don’t think he fits the scheme the other players on the team are comfortable running, and I don’t think he plays as dominantly as his size and intangibles suggest he could. That’s hard to really Say though because RJ and AD are still relatively young. Have they reached their peak yet, or is there more to come?
That’s what I am also wondering, if they have reached their peak as players, I have no problem moving either. Too bad no one knows.
Drummond’s fallout seems to have a direct correlation to Reggie. His numbers with ish are phenomenal. I think it’s Reggie who isn’t fitting the grit and grind defense and pass the ball system that Stan is running.
I’m sorry to say it’s probably Jackson. I’m an OKC fan….I recognize it.
He has no chemistry
I think it would be foolish to value Jackson over Drummond simply because of health issues ( recurring knee problems and an asthmatic condition) and the fact that PG’s are a dime a dozen, whereas athletic, rebounding machines, that run the floor as Drummond does, are very rare in the NBA today. Drummond had began to play the best basketball of his career, before Jackson’s return, as did the entire team.