NBA Offseason: Stephen Jackson interested in Houston Rockets

Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran free agent Stephen Jackson has been working out this summer with the hope of joining a contender. The Houston Rockets are a possible destination, apparently, according to HoopsWorld’s Alex Kennedy. The Rockets currently have 18 players on the roster but still have the funds to aid a veteran minimum. Also worth noting that Jackson was born in nearby Port Arthur, Texas.

Jackson appeared in 55 games for the Spurs last season, averaging 6.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game. He shot  37.3 percent overall and just 27.1 percent from three-point land. He was frustrated with his playing time with the Spurs and voiced his issues before the NBA Finals.

The issue? Jackson struggled to deal with being a lesser player than Manu Ginobili and Danny Green.

With Gregg Popovich consistently giving more playing time to Ginobili and Green as Jackson struggled most of the season, the veteran wing grappled with the reality that he wasn’t one of the top wings on the roster. He described the “mind games” played by Pop, an unusual criticism of a coach known for straight-shooting.

After a discussion with the coach confirmed his place on the roster, Jackson says he let loose an angry reaction, which led Pop to ultimately release him. On Wednesday, Jackson admitted the release, “was best for me so I wouldn’t go crazy,” and “I wouldn’t want me on the team, either.”

Hopefully Jackson can refrain from using the word “crazy.”