No. 1 most important player for the LA Clippers to re-sign for next season: Reggie Jackson
From what was a very tough postseason for Reggie Jackson in the bubble, 12 months made a difference for that man. He was convinced by his long-time friend Paul George to come back and go around again with this squad. He signed a veteran-minimum deal for this past season.
I don’t think Jackson thought that he would play such an influential role for LA during the season. With regular starting point guard Patrick Beverley out for much of the season, Jackson found himself starting 43 out of the 67 games he played.
The reason I have him in this spot is not only for his work during the regular season. (10.1 points per game, 2.9 rebounds per game, and 3.1 assists per game on 43% shooting from three.) But I also have him in this spot due to his work in the playoffs that saw the Clippers make the Western Conference Finals.
Reggie took it to a new level as superstar Kawhi Leonard went down with a partially torn ACL. He knew he had to be the man to assist Paul George in getting the Clippers as far as they could.
During the playoffs, Reggie hit big shot after big shot and got the crowd on their feet. He went on to average 17.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 48.4% shooting from the field and 40.8% from three on 7.5 three-point attempts per game. He was a major reason as to why the Clippers were able to go where no Clipper team has gone before.
With such a successful season in the books, Jackson might find himself with a few offers worth more than just the veteran’s minimum. If I were the Clips franchise, I would be doing everything in my power to offer Reggie something he can’t refuse. If they’d have to move some pieces to do it, I would be getting on that phone now.
The Clippers certainly have a very interesting offseason coming up. This season, the squad was very capable of going all the way, but injuries halted that. If they’re able to keep the squad relatively similar, it could see the Clippers heading back to where they have some unfinished business to attend to.