Reggie Jackson could be a top target at the NBA trade deadline this season and teams like the LA Lakers, Miami Heat, NY Knicks, Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez or Deron Williams, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers could be options for the OKC Thunder, as Jackson is heading towards restricted free agency and is not likely to stay in Oklahoma City.
According to Yahoo Sports, the Nets and Thunder are talking about a deal with Jackson that would involve Brook Lopez and it comes as Brooklyn thinks they can get Jackson to sign an extension. This news comes after the teams were engaged earlier in the season about Lopez and could not pull off a deal. That trade was involving the Hornets and Lance Stephenson as part of a three teams deal, but that did not get too far along and OKC ended up trading for Dion Waiters instead.
If the Nets pull off a deal for Lopez, they could look at moving Deron Williams, who has also been shopped this season. The Nets are looking to ditch the salaries of their highest paid players and they may look at Jackson as the next player to build around. Jackson has reportedly asked for a trade from the Thunder, as he wants to be a starting point guard and he knows he can't do that in OKC. Jackson will be in line for a major raise and it looks like the Thunder will not be signing him back.
The Thunder are in the mix at the bottom of the west playoffs after dealing with injuries to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook early in the season and now they could look at trading Jackson. According to Marc Stein at ESPN.com, the Thunder may look at moving Jackson if they feel they can't sign him back in restricted free agency this summer. Jackson is looking to be a starter and will be asking for that type of money, which is why many think OKC will deal him.
The Thunder acquired Dion Waiters from the Cleveland Cavaliers and since he has come to Oklahoma City, Jackson's minutes have decreased. Jackson could be a target for teams like the Knicks and Lakers in free agency this summer, while the Rockets and Nuggets could look at making a move. Frank Isola reported in the NY Daily News that the Nuggets have checked in on Jackson and could continue talks with the deadline getting closer.
All the talk at the deadline has been about Goran Dragic, but if the Suns end up keeping him, Jackson could take over as the top target. The Thunder would like a significant draft pick for Jackson, as he has some strong potential moving forward as he develops as a player. Dragic comes in as the top target and teams like the Kings, Lakers, Heat and Pacers have all been mentioned as options for the Suns. Jackson is coming into restricted free agency and while the Thunder may end up hanging onto him at the deadline, no one is expecting the team to sign him back since they have Waiters and Russell Westbrook.
