Now that the Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired Dion Waiters and are suddenly flush with guard and wing depth, impending restricted free agent Reggie Jackson has become the subject of trade rumors.
The logic makes sense. The Thunder, a luxury tax-averse franchise, currently sit over the tax and may anticipate Jackson becoming too expensive to retain this summer, if he's even willing to stick around as a backup. With Waiters seemingly capable of filling some of Jackson's production for far cheaper next season, dealing Jackson would afford them flexibility and help them avoid losing him for nothing.
Whether or not that's the team's thinking, there are rumors, and Jackson has been told about them. Asked if he thinks he'll be dealt this year, Jackson tried to downplay the situation, but didn't hide that he's hearing whispers:
I mean, that's what everybody's saying. I’m not here to speculate, though. So if that’s what they do, I understand, it’s a business. If not, I’m still out here giving it my all. I’m just here to enjoy the game to the best of my ability. That’s all I want to do is play basketball.
Now in his fourth season, Jackson is averaging career-bests of 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists, posting a league-average 15.3 player efficiency rating in the process. He may not have shown yet that he can be a team's lead guard. though, as his shooting and defense aren't quite where they need to be.
With Jackson needing to maintain his market value entering the summer, the addition of Waiters could threaten his minutes and numbers. And with a potentially lessened role moving forward and trade rumors swirling, he would be forgiven for having a tough time.
So how is the 24-year-old handling it all? Better than the media, he thinks:
Probably better than you are. Y’all are bringing it up. I can’t control it. I just go play whenever I’m put on the court. That’s about all I can do, all the control I have. Just go from there. I’m happy (Waiters) did well. I’m happy he made a big shot. I’m just happy we got a win.
The Thunder are approximately $2.27 million over the tax line, so shedding Jackson's $2.2-million salary alone wouldn't be enough to free them of those obligations. Still, a package built around Jackson in a larger deal remains a possibility.
Just don't keep bringing it up to Jackson.