The New York Knicks have been hot on the heels of Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson, who has become a candidate to be moved ahead of February, 19 trade deadline due to his pending free-agency.
The Knicks' interest in Jackson isn't a secret as vice president for basketball operations Phil Jackson has high belief that the Boston College product is ready to make the next step and assume the title as the point guard of the future for the floundering Knickerbockers.
According to sources, the Knicks attempted to trade for Jackson in last Monday's three-team trade that saw Iman Shumpert and JR Smith going to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dion Waiters to the Thunder and a bunch of non-guaranteed deals going to the Knicks.
Although their trade offers for Jackson are rejected several times, the Knicks will reportedly make another attempt in scooping up Jackson from the Thunder between now and the February 19 trade deadline.
"The Knicks are expected to try to re-engage the Thunder in talks for point guard Reggie Jackson after being rebuffed in their efforts to land him in Monday night's three-team deal, sources say.
Los Angeles Lakers Could Join the Mix
Like the Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers are also desperate to upgrade the point guard spot. General manager Mitch Kupchack acquired Jeremy Lin from the Houston Rockets last summer, but his gamble did not play out well as the Asian-American standout struggled mightily under Byron Scott's Princeton-based offense.
However, the Lakers are still capable of pulling off a deal to get promising young point guard, using the $4.8M injured player exception they received following Steve Nash's season-ending back injury and a first-rounder they acquired along with Lin in the trade with the Rockets.
The Thunder recently lost a first-round pick in the trade for Waiters (which the Cavs sent along with Memphis 2015 first-rounder to the Denver Nuggets for Timofey Mozgov), and there might be interest in replenishing their stash of picks by trading Jackson for another first-rounder.
Jackson, who is averaging 15.2 points, 5.1 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game for the Thunder this season, is expected to hit the market as a restricted free-agent. He has repeatedly expressed his desire to become a regular starter, which the Lakers and the Knicks are very willing to give.
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