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Thunder’s Reggie Jackson Will Not Be Traded to the Knicks

By Trisity Miller

Dec 25, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson (15) drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs power forward Tiago Splitter (22) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson (15) drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs power forward Tiago Splitter (22) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite the rumors, point guard Reggie Jackson will not be traded to the New York Knicks.

By now you’ve heard of the three-team trade involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and New York Knicks.

Originally, the trade details (or at least major details) included the Cavaliers sending back-up shooting guard Dion Waiters to the Thunder, the Knicks sending guards J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert to the Cavs, and the Thunder sending Reggie Jackson to the Knicks, but according to the latest reports, the Thunder will be keeping Jackson instead.

By acquiring Dion Waiters from the Cavaliers, it’s pretty much all she wrote in Oklahoma City for Jackson. It’s no secret that Jackson wants to be a starting point guard in the NBA and it’s no secret the Thunder have little interest in paying big money for a bench wing (See: Harden, James).

While both are ball dominant players, the Thunder are hoping Waiters can, for at least one season before he too becomes a restricted free agent, replace Jackson’s presence off the bench. While Jackson is better at attacking the rim, Waiters is the better shooter.

In theory, this means he could be a better fit alongside Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, but as one of the biggest loose cannons in the NBA, this is something everyone will have to see happen in real-time before making this a sure-fire win by Sam Presti and the Thunder organization.

With the trade deadline in February, trading Jackson shouldn’t be ruled out for the Thunder. He’s a viable point guard and a team who thinks they won’t be able to get his attention in the off-season could jump the gun and acquire him mid-season to own his rights going into free agency.

This season, Jackson is averaging 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game.

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