The Charlotte Hornets have decided to part ways with veteran point guard Reggie Jackson, a move that was widely anticipated within NBA circles. According to Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer, sources familiar with the situation confirmed the team’s decision to waive Jackson, marking the end of his brief tenure in Charlotte.
Jackson, a seasoned NBA player with 13 years of experience, had previously played for the Denver Nuggets during the 2023/24 season, where he served as a backup to Jamal Murray. In his role off the bench, Jackson contributed solid numbers, averaging 10.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game while shooting 43.1% from the field, 35.9% from beyond the arc, and 80.6% from the free-throw line across 82 games, including 23 starts.
Despite exercising a player option worth $5.25 million for the upcoming season, Jackson’s tenure with the Nuggets came to an abrupt end when the team opted to pursue other options at the backup point guard position. As part of a salary-dump transaction, Denver traded Jackson along with several second-round draft picks to the Hornets. This move facilitated the Nuggets’ subsequent acquisition of Russell Westbrook to bolster their backcourt rotation.
For the Hornets, however, acquiring future draft assets was evidently more enticing than retaining Jackson for the 2024/25 season. This marks the second occasion in two years that Charlotte has acquired Jackson via trade, only to waive him shortly thereafter. A similar scenario unfolded in February 2023 when the Hornets acquired Jackson from the Los Angeles Clippers, only to release him days later. On that occasion, Jackson swiftly joined Denver after negotiating a buyout.
By waiving Jackson, the Hornets have opened up a roster spot, leaving them with 13 players under fully guaranteed contracts and one player, Taj Gibson, under a partially guaranteed deal.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers have emerged as a potential destination for Jackson following his release. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that Jackson intends to sign with the Sixers once he clears waivers. Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer had previously indicated that the 76ers expressed interest in Jackson, particularly given his prior stint playing alongside Paul George with the Los Angeles Clippers.
In Philadelphia, Jackson is expected to join on a minimum-salary contract, a move necessitated by the team exhausting its cap space and room exception. His arrival will bolster the Sixers’ backcourt depth, complementing a roster that features emerging star Tyrese Maxey, seasoned veterans Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon, and rookie Jared McCain.
From a financial perspective, Jackson’s minimum deal with the Sixers will be valued at approximately $3.3 million, although it will count against the team’s salary cap for only $2.09 million. This financial arrangement reflects the league’s salary structure, where minimum contracts offer teams flexibility in managing their payroll while adding experienced talent to their roster.
In conclusion, Reggie Jackson’s journey from Denver to Charlotte and now potentially to Philadelphia underscores the fluid nature of NBA transactions and player movements. His pending move to the Sixers represents a strategic acquisition aimed at enhancing Philadelphia’s competitiveness in the upcoming season, while the Hornets’ decision to waive him highlights their prioritization of future draft assets over retaining his services for the immediate future.
