PistonPowered
Fansided

Stan Van Gundy aces another move by getting Reggie Jackson

By Braden Shackelford

Dec 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Pistons won 103-80. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Pistons won 103-80. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Early in the season, Stan Van Gundy’s juxtaposition drove me insane.

I trust Stan Van Gundy the coach, but Stan Van Gundy, president of basketball operations gave me paused. I questioned whether he’d have the patience to properly assemble a winning team, a process that can take multiple seasons. After all, even when the Pistons were 5-20, Van Gundy the coach still hadn’t given up while it appeared Stan Van Gundy, President of basketball operations, was ready to move onto rebuilding.

Now, both sides of Van Gundy are clicking.

His first move, waiving Josh Smith after a horrendous start to the season, sparked controversy, but it’s looking pretty good so far (though those cap hits could hurt later). His next move, trading bench-warmer Tony Mitchell for Anthony Tolliver, who received minimal playing time in Phoenix, was brilliant. And now, it looks like Van Gundy, President of basketball operation, may have just outdone himself in the trade for Reggie Jackson.

Remember when the Rockets traded Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and a first-round pick James Harden? There are similarities here.

Sure, these are two different players with two different playing styles, but they played essentially the same role in Oklahoma City. In the last two years, Jackson has averaged 13.0 points, 4.2 assists, 2.0 turnovers, and 4.0 rebounds in 28.3 minutes per game — not all that different from Harden, who averaged 12.9 points, 2.5 assists, 1.6 turnovers, and 3.4 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per game.

Yes, Harden is a better 3-point shooter, got to the free-throw line more often and was younger. But I’d wager Jackson is more of the 33% 3-point shooter we saw last season than the 28% shooter we’ve seen this season. He has struggled to find comfort as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook come in and out of the lineup.

And yes, Harden was Sixth Man of the Year coming off a career season when traded. But as talented as Harden is, few expected him to blossom as quickly as he has.

With Detroit, Jackson has a chance to blossom just as Harden did.

Jackson might not become the MVP candidate Harden is in Houston, but Jackson could become a 20-point, seven-assist, five-rebound player for the Pistons and a better defender than Harden.

It wouldn’t be shocking to look back at the trade, D.J. Augustin, Kyle Singler, and two second round picks in exchange for Jackson, the same way we look at Harden to the Rockets trade now. Remember, the Pistons gave up less than the Rockets did, so they don’t need as much return to justify the deal.

As it stands, this was just another solid move from Van Gundy, president of basketball operations.

Home/Pistons News