When Rajon Rondo was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, every team looking for a long-term point guard had to adjust their plans. Rondo was preparing to be a free agent and will now likely re-sign with Dallas instead of hitting the open market. He was the marquee point guard of the upcoming class which means the focus shifts to other players working on expiring contracts. Reggie Jackson is one of them.
Jackson has been a star for Oklahoma City which is why he continues to find his name tossed around in rumors while averaging 13.9 points per game off the bench in place of Russell Westbrook. Working on an expiring contract, the Thunder have already begun planning for life after Jackson by trading for Dion Waiters. Now several teams are eyeing a deal for Jackson, hoping he is one of the next-best guards in the league.
According to Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling, the Thunder front office and head coach Scott Brooks support a trade of Jackson before the deadline. Right now, the point guard continues to sit on the bench as Westbrook plays well and the Thunder would prefer to deal Jackson now instead of letting him walk away for nothing in return. Jackson came close to being sent to the New York Knicks, but that trade fell through. However, the Knicks are expected to continue pushing a deal, offering up anyone from Amar'e Stoudemire to Jose Calderon or Tim Hardaway Jr in return.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been pinpointed as a potential landing spot for Jackson as well. The team is desperate for a long-term point guard after Steve Nash's injury and Jeremy Lin's departure. The team is giving big minutes to players like Jordan Clarkson and Ryan Kelly, but has the trading chips to acquire Jackson. They could easily oofer up players like Lin, Ed Davis and Jordan Hill to the Thunder and try to re-sign Jackson in the offseason.
Several teams are in need of backcourt help. The Detroit Pistons lost Brandon Jennings while the Charlotte Hornets have lost Kemba Walker. Both teams are on the playoff bubble and are aiming for a deadline deal to help out. Players like Norris Cole and Pablo Prigioni have been targeted as trade pieces, but deals for Jackson will be a priority as well.
