Oklahoma City Thunder rumors: Unlikely to extend Reggie Jackson

By Bryan Rose | Aug 21, 2014

May 3, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson (15) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee (5) during the fourth quarter in game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Oklahoma City Thunder would like to get guard Reggie Jackson under contract for the next few years, though it doesn’t appear likely to happen.

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While Reggie Jackson is technically under contract for the 2015-16 season (on a qualifying offer), the Thunder were hoping to sign him to an extension this offseason. However, the young talent doesn’t want to undervalue himself and according to NewsOK, Reggie Jackson will likely play out the remainder of his contract and become a restricted free agent at season end.

"The Oklahoma City Thunder would prefer to lock up Jackson this offseason, but that’s not likely. It’s possible that Jackson plays for a contract in each of the next two seasons in Oklahoma City, which generally motivates a guy rather well, although if Jackson already wasn’t given his full focus and energy, Presti misread that DNA."

If Reggie Jackson was comfortable in Oklahoma City and didn’t think he’d improve much, then signing a contract extension seems to make the most sense. However, still young and very talented, it’s likely that Reggie Jackson will only continue to get better and signing a contract extension right now would likely be at a bargain to the Thunder, not Jackson.

The Oklahoma City Thunder meanwhile would obviously like to sign Jackson at a ‘discount’ and put themselves in position to have plenty available cash when Russell Westrbrook and Kevin Durant eventually are able to sign their own contract extensions.

It would seem likely Jackson’s lack of desire to sign an extension right now would potentially put his OKC future in doubt considering the finances the Thunder will need to commit in the near future.