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Why the Reggie Jackson signing is exactly what the Nuggets needed

By Asher Levy

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 02: Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers waits for a free throw during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 02, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks defeated the Clippers 106-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 02: Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers waits for a free throw during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 02, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks defeated the Clippers 106-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Reggie Jackson is in the process of clearing waivers right now after being bought out by the Charlotte Hornets. He was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Hornets in a trade for Mason Plumlee, and due to wanting to play for a contender, the Hornets bought him out. This is to free up playing time for some of their younger players, and this left the veteran on the buyout market.

The Denver Nuggets had a lot of interest in Reggie Jackson to fill in the void of Bones Hyland. Bones had a high usage percentage whenever he was on the court, and the abscence of a bench ball handler without him has been very apparent in the past few games.

There’s been a lot of turnovers and stagnant offensive possession whenever the bench has been on the floor without Jokic or Jamal Murray. Typically, Jamal Murray will share the floor with the second unit, but has missed four consecutive games with right knee inflammation. He’s also considered questionable for the upcoming game against the Mavericks.

Spare Ball Handler

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 02: Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers is defended by Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at Fiserv Forum on February 02, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks defeated the Clippers 106-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 02: Reggie Jackson #1 of the LA Clippers is defended by Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at Fiserv Forum on February 02, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks defeated the Clippers 106-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Reggie Jackson has had a down season. In 52 games for the Clippers, Jackson has averaged 10.9 points per game, 3.5 assists per game, and 1.8 turnovers per game. He’s shooting 41.8% from the field, 35% from beyond the arc, and 92.4% from the charity stripe.

While these stats seem solid on paper — his efficiency being up quite notably from last season — he has regressed from the Reggie Jackson that was seen in 2021 playoffs. Since then, his shot selection hasn’t been as good and he can tend to take over possessions that lead to bad shots.

He’s averaging a pretty poor turnover percentage of 14.3%, and he isn’t a particularly good passer. However, he’s better than what the Nuggets did have before his arrival, and the team isn’t realistically getting any starter caliber players off the buyout market. So for what he is, he’s pretty solid.

While he isn’t quite the scorer fans got to marvel at during his magnificent playoff run, he can still have games in which he impacts the game with his ball handling. He’s a solid ball handler who knows how to score. He can get you points in a pinch, and isn’t a bad playmaker (despite not being a super positive one either).

Bones Hyland left a usage vacuum and it’s likely that Reggie Jackson will fill in as a backup guard for the rest of the regular season. Jamal Murray could use some rest as the playoffs approach, and Jackson can fill in as an approximation of what Jamal does.

His role in the playoff remains to be seen, but with the additions of Thomas Bryant and Reggie Jackson at the deadline, the Nuggets have bolstered their second unit with offensive talent. They’ll have options of defensive and offensive units, and can be more dynamic based on their matchups now.

Reggie Jackson isn’t a cure-all and won’t move the needle solely by himself. However, he has won some playoff games in the past, and if playoff Reggie Jackson continues to be a thing — the Nuggets just got that much scarier for teams in the West.