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Reggie Jackson remains with the team he says helped save his career by agreeing to a two-year, $ 22 million deal with the LA Clippers, CAA Basketball agents Aaron Mintz and Erika Ruiz told Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN.
The free playmaker will return for the maximum the Clippers can pay Jackson under CBA rules.
Jackson jump-started his career last season, stepping up the offense and hitting clutch shots to help the Clippers reach their first-ever Western Conference final. After averaging 10.7 points and shooting 43.3% from 3 points in the regular season, the 10-year veteran has become one of the stars of the Clippers’ playoffs.
With Kawhi Leonard out for the Clippers’ last eight playoff games with a partially torn ACL, Jackson helped Paul George take on the offensive charge, averaging 17.8 points and shooting 40.8% on a 3 range. playoff points.
In the western semifinals, Jackson scored 22 points to help the Clippers steal Game 5 to Utah before helping to eliminate the Jazz in Game 6 with 27 points and 10 assists.
The playmaker has become a fan favorite, hearing chants of his name while averaging 20.3 points in the Western Conference Finals.
Many expected Jackson’s playoff performances to increase his market value by entering free agency. But Jackson acknowledged how much he enjoyed playing for the Clippers at the end of their season. In a teary-eyed and moving post-game press conference after Game 6 against the Phoenix Suns, Jackson thanked the Clippers and his teammates for helping him jumpstart his career.
Jackson couldn’t hide his happiness at playing alongside his best friend George.
“The first thing I said to these guys was thank you for saving me,” Jackson said. “Yeah, I like every guy in that locker room, I like Paul for calling last year, at the end of the season [when I] was talking about redemption with Detroit. I am grateful for everything I have experienced here, this city makes me feel at home. This organization welcoming me, my whims, my strengths, my weaknesses, I wonder if I would still play without this team. So yes, I thank them. “
With Jackson’s return, the Clippers hope to continue to keep their core intact by re-signing Leonard. Leonard declined his playing option and became a free agent on Sunday. Leonard is expected to negotiate a new deal to stay with the Clippers, Wojnarowski reported.
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said after the NBA draft last week that the team hopes to keep Jackson, Leonard, Nicolas Batum and Serge Ibaka. Ibaka opted for the second year of his contract and Batum agreed to go back on a two-year contract.
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