The LA Clippers also won the buyout market

After having arguably the best trade deadline, the LA Clippers turned their eyes to the buyout market which they also seemingly won.

It’s not a bad time to be an LA Clippers fan. The team is in the midst of a four-game win streak, is completely healthy, and just made some additions that will surely help come postseason. Those additions, of course, are Markieff Morris and Reggie Jackson. Morris was acquired at the trade deadline – a move that many believe was the best of the deadline while Jackson was picked up on the buyout market. With March 1 being the last date players could be bought out and sign and be playoff eligible, it’s safe to say the Clippers won the buyout market.

Granted, the buyout market was not extremely strong this year but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the team got arguably the most talented player of the lot. Take a look at other buyouts and where they landed:

• Marvin Williams – Signed by Milwaukee Bucks
• Markieff Morris – Signed by Los Angeles Lakers
• Jeff Green – Signed a 10-day contract with Houston Rockets
• DeMarre Carroll – Signed by Houston Rockets
• Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – Signed by Dallas Mavericks
• Tyler Johnson – Still available
• Isaiah Thomas – Still available
• Trey Burke – Still available
• Dion Waiters – Still available

That list isn’t exactly beaming with talent. There are definitely some guys that will help their new teams, such as Jeff Green every three nights for Houston. Marvin Williams will also add some length to the already long Milwaukee Bucks. But none of the ones who have already signed nor the players still available add value like Reggie Jackson has already shown.

In his five appearances since signing with the team, Jackson is adding 9.6 points, 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 0.4 steals to an already formidable Clippers’ bench unit. While it’s a much-reduced role from his time in Detroit the past several seasons, Jackson is still making a huge impact.

The biggest impact doesn’t show up on the stat sheet but was something the team badly needed. Jackson’s ability to handle the ball and initiate the offense has allowed Lou Williams to get back to his preferred role as the second unit’s go-to scorer. Jackson understands the value of ball movement and has allowed the second unit to blossom in his five appearances.

In the five games he has played alongside Jackson, Lou is averaging 15.8 points per game. That seems low but is in part due to extremely balanced scoring attacks in the wins against Memphis and Phoenix.

The eye test backs it up. When teams focus on Lou, Reggie has had no issues scoring. In Sunday’s win over Philadelphia, Jackson was not afraid to find his shot, pouring in 12 points on 4 of 6 shooting from the field. He has shown an ability to score at any level, which will keep teams honest.

Jackson adds so much to a Clippers team that desperately needed a playmaker off the bench. His addition combined with the lack of talent elsewhere in the buyout market means the Clippers won both the trade deadline and buyout market. Hopefully, those two wins translate to the ultimate victory, an NBA championship.