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Hardwood Paroxysm presents: NBA trade deadline’s most memorable trades

By HP Basketball Network

Feb 25, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) pounds his chest before a game against the Washington Wizards at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) pounds his chest before a game against the Washington Wizards at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 24, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) smiles during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Cavs beat the Pistons 102-93. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) smiles during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Cavs beat the Pistons 102-93. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Stan Van Gundy hits a homerun in landing Reggie Jackson

By Zach Oliver (@ZachOliverNBA)

The first year at the helm of the Detroit Pistons has been a rough one for Stan Van Gundy. His team got off to an abysmal 5-23 start, thoughts of the playoffs seemed ever so bleak for the former Bad Boys. However, one chilly December day things changed, and changed quickly.

Van Gundy, who has control of basketball operations for the first time in his career, made the decision to waive the not-so-great-of-a-fit Josh Smith. He was all in on his two young big men, Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe, and putting confidence in point guard Brandon Jennings to help carry the team. And until rupturing his Achilles on a cold January night in Milwaukee, Jennings did so and in more than respectable fashion.

With Jennings, and his 15 points and nearly seven assists per game gone, the Pistons didn’t panic. D.J. Augustin, coupled with rookie Spencer Dinwiddie and veteran John Lucas III, filled in and did everything they could to help the surging Pistons keep their heads above water.

Then, as the trade deadline rapidly approached on a freezing Thursday in February, Van Gundy made his big splash.

It appeared all but set in stone that Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson was on his way to the Brooklyn Nets. Then, with a mere three minutes remaining in the deadline, the fourth-year man out of Boston College was on his way to the Pistons. Van Gundy pulled a rabbit out of his hat late, acquiring the disgruntled point guard.

Now, with 26 games remaining, and sitting only a game out of the eighth and final spot in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons are poised to make a big run. Jackson, who started 13 games for the Thunder earlier this season, has proven able to put up starter quality numbers, averaging 20 points, 7.6 assists and 5.2 rebounds in his 14 total starts this season.

The addition of Jackson not only fills in for Jennings this season, but could allow the veteran more time to come back from one of the worst injuries in all of sports. It’s also another addition to an already stout young, growing core of Drummond, Monroe and second-year shooter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

While Jackson has the ability to bolt in free agency this summer, it seems like a well calculated risk for the Pistons to take. They didn’t give up much to acquire Jackson, and will be in a position, should he stays, to potentially make noise in the East for years to come.

For the remainder of this season, Jackson gives them a real floor general, and someone who has proven to not be afraid of the spotlight. With the playoffs looming, and the Pistons having a real chance to make them, Jackson’s addition could be the one to propel them into the playoffs, and even possibly a first round upset with their new point man stealing the show.

Next: JaVale McGee becomes a mentor to the 76ers young bigs


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