NBA Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder Will Still Trade Reggie Jackson

Reggie Jackson Oklahoma City Thunder

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Don’t buy into what the Oklahoma City Thunder front office is saying. Reggie Jackson will still be traded.

Presti and head coach Scott Brooks have stated numerous times this season that they are not going to trade Jackson, who is on the last year of his rookie deal and can become a restricted free agent this summer. The Thunder will have the opportunity to match any deal that Jackson may sign, but with their main priority being to maintain cap space to keep Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook around and Jackson’s desire to run his own offense as a starter, it is unlikely that any big contract offer would be matched.

That is why fans know that the organization is lying. As big of a contributor as Jackson is off of the bench and as important as he would be to a championship run, letting him walk away for nothing would go against every ideal that Presti stands for and has defended since being named GM.

A title this season, in which Jackson would be instrumental in bringing to Oklahoma City, would be a huge selling point in convincing Durant and Westbrook to stay, but the truth is that Presti is and always will be about the future.

Presti has a history of making sure that he gets value for his players, ensuring that they don’t hit the open market without receiving compensation — and he usually makes a splash while doing it. He shocked everyone by trading Jeff Green to the Boston Celtics for Kendrick Perkins, a move which brought the Thunder a big man who they had financial control over for years in exchange for a prospect about to negotiate a hefty salary increase.

He famously jettisoned James Harden to the Houston Rockets for a package of Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and a pick that became Steven Adams when it became clear that Harden would not sign the extension that had been offered to him. On Monday, he almost traded Jackson for a ball-stopping shooter with an extra year of financial flexibility.

Now, the Thunder are over the luxury tax line for the first time in franchise history and Presti is facing a tough decision that could dictate the future of the franchise.

Does he keep Jackson and hope that the Boston College product can mesh with Waiters and the rest of the crowded Thunder backcourt and win that title? Or does he stick with what he knows and find a suitable trade partner who thinks they can re-sign Jackson, risking postseason success but maybe netting the Thunder some future picks or young assets in the post or wing?

While Jackson is not quite the player that Harden is, this decision on his future is even more important to the franchise than the choice to send Harden to the Rockets. With so little time remaining before Durant makes his free agency decision that has the potential to reshape the landscape of the NBA, Presti’s choice could ultimately dictate whether the Thunder remain championship contenders for years to come or if they once again become lottery staples.

It is undeniable that Presti has been one of the best GMs in the league for the past decade, making smart draft selections and prudent roster moves to consistently field a team that is both competitive and financially flexible. He does have a history of quickly cashing in on every asset before losing them for nothing, but he has sworn that Jackson isn’t going anywhere and is a key part of the Thunder’s future.

Is he telling the truth? Don’t count on it.

For all things Thunder and much more, follow Dan McLoone on Twitter @CoachMcLoone or add him to your network on Google+.

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