Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson has agreed to a contract buyout. He plans to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers upon clearing waivers. Jackson will give the Clippers second unit a starting-level player, as well as another scorer and playmaker.
Reggie Jackson: Buyout Bound
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN confirmed that Jackson has agreed to a contract buyout.
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The Woj tweeted,
‘Jackson gives the Clippers second unit a starting-level playmaker and scorer. Lakers had hoped to sign Jackson too, sources said. Clippers emerge from the buyout market with the most talented player available that had been available to contenders.’
Jackson: NBA run
Jackson had become the highest-impact player available in the buyout marketplace. Several contenders had an interest in him. However, his focus had been on the Clippers in the event he was able to secure a contract buyout, league sources said.
Jackson, 29, will play a significant role on the Clippers’ second unit, where coach Doc Rivers is eager to implement Jackson’s playmaking and scoring abilities on a roster that could be the NBA’s deepest.
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Jackson was completing the final season of a five-year, $80 million contract with the Pistons. The Pistons and Jackson’s agent, Aaron Mintz of CAA Sports, completed the buyout terms earlier Tuesday before reaching an agreement with the Clippers on Tuesday afternoon.
Jackson has been a longtime friend of Clippers star Paul George and had long hoped to play with him, sources said.
In nine NBA seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Pistons, he has averaged 12.9 points, 4.4 assists and 3.0 rebounds a game. Jackson was a key performer in a backup role to Russell Westbrook and James Harden in Oklahoma City earlier in his career.
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Jackson has averaged 14.9 points and 5.1 assists in 14 games this season. He missed several weeks to start the season because of a back injury.
Jackson is expected to be one of the top guards available in summer free agency.