According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Oklahoma City Thunder are waiving forward Justin Jackson.
Jackson is averaging 7.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game this season in only 16 minutes per game. He may not be the missing link connecting a team to a championship, but he can surely find his way into a rotation and produce effective minutes.
Here are the Best Landing Spots for Justin Jackson
Golden State Warriors Need Depth
The Golden State Warriors present an intriguing landing spot for Jackson. They’re still in the hunt for the playoffs, thanks to the brilliance of Stephen Curry, but have been faltering lately and can use some help.
Jackson is best suited as a small forward. Golden State has Kelly Oubre, who will remain the starter but can definitely see an upgrade behind him. As of now, Kent Bazemore is the primary backup. He brings veteran leadership but remains ineffective on the floor. Jackson won’t immediately come in and dazzle, but he’s an offensive-minded player who can thrive with the looks he’ll get in this offense.
Jackson’s floater game is fantastic, so he’ll find open lanes to the rim when players such as Curry are being hounded at the three-point line. In addition, Jackson can knock down his own open shots from deep as well. The Warriors’ bench is relatively weak, and Jackson can help come in and give them a push to potentially make the play-in games.
Indiana Battling Injury Woes and can use Justin Jackson
The Indiana Pacers lost forward TJ Warren for the rest of the season due to a stress fracture in his left foot. He leaves a hefty void to fill, as he was averaging nearly 16 points per game. That leaves the Pacers’ small forward rotation at Justin Holiday and Doug McDermott. Both are very solid players, but the team can use a little more help.
Enter Jackson.
Jackson can certainly find 12-16 minutes per game on the injury-riddled Pacers team. That would allow him to stay consistent with what he was doing in Oklahoma City. Indiana will surely enjoy having a decent scorer come off the bench while Holiday and McDermott take a break, or the two are deployed at other positions. The Pacers are also in the hunt for the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference, but have bigger goals than that. Jackson won’t fill the void that Warren leaves, but he’s one of the better options available now to sign for the rest of the season in that position.
The Los Angeles Lakers can also use Injury Help
The Los Angeles Lakers have been dealing with the injuries of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Of course, these are two of the best players in the entire game. It’s safe to say their absences have severely affected the team’s play.
Signing Jackson will not transform the team with James and Davis out, but he’ll be another depth option that can be used now and when the star duo returns. It’s no secret that James always makes his teammates better, and he can do the same with Jackson.
Jackson can step in now and be a better option than both Wesley Matthews and Alfonzo McKinnie. The Lakers are competing for a repeat championship. There’s little reason to not improve a certain position on the team at a low price.
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