The Pistons and Pelicans have discussed a trade that would send Reggie Jackson to New Orleans, according to Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders. Scotto adds that New Orleans could ship out E’Twaun Moore, Alexis Ajinca, and/or Quincy Pondexter in exchange for Jackson’s services.
Jackson, 27, still has three years and $51MM left on his deal and has been on the trade block since last season’s trade deadline. The Pelicans, who re-signed Jrue Holiday to a five-year, $126MM pact, feel that a Holiday/Jackson backcourt would be successful, per Scotto.
Jackson averaged 14.5 PPG, 5.2 APG, and 2.2 RPG in just over 27 minutes per game for the Pistons last season. However, a knee injury held him to 52 games, his lowest total since his rookie year with the Thunder.
Detroit is in a transitional phase, therefore no roster spot is safe. Aron Baynes has departed for the Celtics and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is set to sign elsewhere in free agency. While the team has acquired Anthony Tolliver, Reggie Bullock, Avery Bradley, and Langston Galloway, it’s clear that the team is focused on shorter commitments and smaller salaries.
In a possible trade, both Moore (three years, $25.9MM) and Ajinca (two years, $10.3MM) have multiple years remaining on their deals; both players provided solid contributions off the bench for New Orleans last season. Pondexter has missed the last two seasons with left knee surgery and has a $3.9MM salary for 2017/18.
Hey if it works out for NO then they can finally be a 7th seed
Why does everyone think it is a worse thing to be a #7 seed than to miss the playoffs entirely? It might not be common, but a 7 seed at least has a chance at winning a playoff series. Not to mention the income from playoff games. I hate when people act like if you are not the #1 seed, then you should be trying for the #1 pick.
In today’s NBA you might as well be lottery if you’re below the 4th seed. It’s sad to watch but you know it’s mostly true.
Not really.
Hoops rumors will update this 3 minutes later either saying it’s done or they’re not close to a deal.
Let’s just get to the trade deadline so a competent team can rent boogie for the playoffs
This would barely free up cap space for Detroit and they would receive mediocre at best players. This doesn’t make sense unless they also receive a draft pick.
They get out from under that 3 year commitment and 51 mil. No pick needed.
I agree. Unless there’s a number 1 pick coming, this doesn’t move the needle.
Horrible trade for the Pistons. Doesn’t make a bit of sense.
Sure it does. Pure salary dump. They get out of some of his cap at the end of this year, some of it in two years, and the rest in 3 years. It opens more space sooner and they pick up a couple more rotation players.
Getting out of that contract at any cost is a good deal for the Pistons. Good riddance!
If anything, I wouldn’t understand this from New Orleans perspective. They give up a combo guard/wing that can shoot and defend on a good contract for a much bigger contract on a bad fit…
Did you read the article? It states The Pelicans “feel that a Holliday/Jackson backcourt would be successful”
Then their feelings are wrong, especially b/c they need shooters and defense on the wing
Good points, but freeing up cap space is only good when you’re a destination franchise, which the Pistons are not. Unless they trade or draft for a good point, he’s probably the best they will get. Sounds to like they’re selling while his value is super low. I say, weight it out, because if he comes back healthy, given the new NBA salaries, his $17m a year isn’t bad.
No it’s not just for “destination” franchises. They don’t need to free up 30 million to add a star but freeing up that space sooner and getting lesser, movable contracts allows them more flexibility now and in the future. It’s not like there’s only 5 teams in the league where players go. Everybody signs free agents.
Cleveland was not (and still isn’t) a destination franchise. Players sign there for obvious reasons. If LeBron left and they weren’t competing, nobody would want to play there.
That’s why it’s very important to build your team internally through the draft & have a solid upper management. Once Brons leaves, they’re falling apart especially with Gilbert owning the team