The Oklahoma City Thunder are very good at developing their own players. Unfortunately, this may start becoming a problem very soon.
Guard Reggie Jackson was the 24th selection in the 2011 draft. In his first two seasons he averaged just over 12 minutes a game. Then last season, he plowed his way into the conversation of best sixth men in the NBA. Setting career highs in points (13), assists (4), rebounds (4), free throw percentage (89%), three point percentage (34%) and minutes (28.5) will do that to a young player. Now entering his fourth season, it's clear that Jackson has a bright future in the league.
The only problem is that future might not be with the Thunder.
OKC fans have seen this script before. Young, talented athlete gets drafted and performs extremely well. He then starts to want more minutes, more money, more attention, etc. Eventually, he gets traded because both sides know the partnership cannot last. That's how it played out for James Harden, now making the max with the Houston Rockets. It's possible the same path could be ahead of Jackson.
"I want it," Jackson said at Oklahoma City's media day. "I feel strong about it. I want to be the starter."
There is nothing wrong with Jackson wanting to be a starter. His play has warranted such consideration. But even though he and fellow point guard Russell Westbrook played well together last season - the team scored 116.8 points per 100 possessions and allowed just 99.0 in 395 minutes with the pair sharing the floor - it remains to be seen how the duo would fare together full time. Both players need the ball in their hands to be effective. Both players love to attack the basket and have inconsistent jumpers. That could lead to problems for the offense as a whole if the two were to start together.
"What I have always grown up just believing, I want a majority of my time to be spent playing against other starters," Jackson said. "Growing up I felt it was a cop-out. I want to play against the best, I want to play against Chris Paul, I want to play against Kyrie Irving, I want to be mentioned on the highest levels."
Jackson's confidence and determination are to be commended, but the Thunder need to be very careful with how the play this situation. Wanting more is ultimately what got Harden out of OKC.
As Jackson is a fourth year player, he is eligible for a contract extension. The two sides have until Oct. 31 to agree on a new deal. If both sides cannot come to an agreement then talks will be resumed next summer when Jackson is a restricted free agent. General manager Sam Presti has said that trading Jackson hasn't been "considered."
So what are the Thunder to do?
Keeping Jackson in a reserve role could be what is best for the team's chances of winning this season, but may alienate the hungry guard and cause him to look for the nearest exit sign out of Oklahoma City in the near future. Another question to consider is whether the Thunder can even afford the big pay day that is coming Jackson's way. Remember, this is a team that has avoided the luxury tax like Jerry avoids Tom. On the other hand, can OKC really afford to lose another supremely talented guard when fans are still not over the Harden trade?
Jackson has always said that his heart is in OKC and that's where he wants to stay. But Harden similarly waxed poetic when asked about his future with the team. The Thunder have some difficult choices ahead of them. They've played this scenario out once already to results that are still yet to be determined. What will they do this time around?
