Evaluating if the Detroit Pistons should re-sign Reggie Jackson

Why they should re-sign Jackson

Jackson tends to draw fans to the extremes, and the loudest voices on Pistons’ Twitter are not fans of the oft-injured point guard. Add in the Derrick Rose stans and you have a whole lot of negativity surrounding Jackson when it comes to the fans. But fans don’t get to make decisions and there are some compelling reasons to try to re-sign Jackson.

• They can likely get Jackson on a cheap, short-term deal. There won’t be a big market for Jackson and both he and the Pistons have interest in building his value here. Jackson gets a chance at one last big contract and Detroit gets the chance to build the value of an asset. The deal would need to be very team friendly to entice Detroit. If Jackson would do a one year deal for $10 million or less, or a two-year deal similar to that of Rose, Detroit would have to consider it.
• The 2020 free agent class is weak. Letting Jackson walk for nothing but cap space doesn’t really get the Pistons much but a chance to overbid on a mediocre player like Fred VanVleet or Jeff Teague this offseason. Signing Jackson to a short-term deal would be a stop-gap between eras and the much more appealing free agent bonanza of 2021.

• He could end up being a valuable trade piece. Currently Jackson has zero value, but on a short-term deal he would have value as a potential trade piece at the deadline next season, especially if he’s on an expiring deal. If he’s making low money and playing well, Detroit won’t have to take back a bad contract and can try to poach a young player or draft pick from a contender.
• Detroit could still draft a point guard from what figures to be a decent draft for the position. There is always playing time for a third point guard in Detroit, so Jackson’s return wouldn’t block the rookie’s progress.

With few other options and a chance to get value for money, the Pistons should consider re-signing Jackson to a team-friendly deal.