9 point guards the Rockets can still pursue in free agency

6. Reggie Jackson

Reggie Jackson and Houston Rockets star guard Russell Westbrook feuded in 2015 when Jackson first became a member of the Detroit Pistons, so one would think the Rockets would approach Westbrook prior to engaging in discussions with Jackson. But aside from that, Jackson has shown that he can contribute, as he inked an $80 million deal with the Pistons, who believed he could be their franchise player.

Jackson immediately averaged 17.6 points and 9.2 assists with the Pistons but ultimately never lived up to his 2014-15 averages, as he never averaged more than six assists and failed to average even 16 points in any of the last four seasons. Jackson is also not much of a 3-point shooter, as he has a career average of 33.7 percent from long-range, which is below the league average.

But Jackson wouldn’t be brought in to be the starter or even the star player, as those roles are obviously occupied by Westbrook and Harden. Jackson would instead return to the reserve role, which he flourished in with the LA Clippers in 2019-20.

The 30-year-old guard averaged 9.5 points, 3.2 assists, and three rebounds under former Clippers coach Doc Rivers, and also made a career-best 41.3 percent from deep, and also made 45.3 percent of his field goals, which marks his best clip since 2012-13. Jackson posted a true shooting percentage of 58.7 percent upon his return to the second unit and made 53.1 percent of his threes in the postseason, which was a team-high.

Jackson figures to get the veterans minimum, unless he opts to follow suit of Austin Rivers and chooses to take a higher payday on a non-contender. After being on the cusp of reaching the Western Conference Finals, before the Clippers dropped a 3-1 lead and were ultimately defeated by the Denver Nuggets, one would think Jackson would want to return to a contender.

If that’s the case, the Rockets figure to be a team he’d have interest in.

Next: No. 5