Thunder pick up contract options on 3 players including Reggie Jackson

This time of year, NBA teams inevitably extend olive branches to their talented young players by picking up their contract options. For instance, the Cavs (Kyrie Irving) and T-Wolves (Derrick Williams) have locked down their young players for an additional year just in the last few days, and on Friday, the Thunder followed suit with a few moves of their own.

The biggest name on the list for Oklahoma City is point guard Reggie Jackson, who will receive his 4th-year compensation from the team after posting the best year of his career in 2012-13. In 70 games as the backup to star PG Russell Westbrook, Jackson averaged 5.3 points and 1.7 assists per game, but this season (at least at the beginning), the former Boston College standout will be tasked with starting responsibilities while Westbrook is sidelined with injury.

As for Lamb and Jones, they are less significant options in terms of this season, but each has a unique skillset. Lamb was one of the centerpieces of the controversial James Harden trade, and he’ll see more time this season at shooting guard, while Jones was a “high upside” draft pick out of Baylor.

It should be a fun season for OKC, and the future is very bright.