Pistons and Pelicans Discussing Reggie Jackson Trade

The Detroit Pistons and the New Orleans Pelicans have discussed a trade of Reggie Jackson for E’Twaun Moore and Alexis Ajinca, league sources told Basketball Insiders.

Quincy Pondexter’s name has also surfaced in the trade talks and could be included in the deal, Basketball Insiders has learned. Pondexter has missed the past two full seasons and had left knee surgery last season. Pondexter last played for New Orleans during the 2015 playoffs and is owed nearly $3.9 million this season.

New Orleans would save nearly $1.3 million next season if Pondexter gets included in the trade. The following season, Detroit would save $2.9 million. The season after that, Detroit would save $9.4 million. Those numbers are courtesy of colleague Eric Pincus’ salary sheets for Detroit and New Orleans.

New Orleans believes Jackson and Jrue Holiday, whom the Pelicans re-signed to a five-year, $126 million deal, can play together in the backcourt.

New Orleans has missed the playoffs in five of the past six seasons and wants to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

Jackson has three years and $51 million remaining on his contract.

Detroit recently explored the trade market on Jackson and Andre Drummond before the draft, as previously reported by Basketball Insiders.

Sources: Detroit Pistons are gauging the trade market on Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson. Both were on the market at the trade deadline.

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 8, 2017

Jackson averaged 14.5 points, 5.2 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 27.4 minutes per game for Detroit last season.

The 27-year-old guard battled a knee injury last season and played in 52 games, which was his lowest total since his rookie season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Detroit has missed the playoffs in seven of the past eight seasons. Detroit is undergoing a roster makeover this summer with the additions of Langston Galloway, Anthony Tolliver and Eric Moreland in free agency, and the acquisition of Avery Bradley from Boston in exchange for Marcus Morris. Detroit also drafted Luke Kennard 12th overall in the draft.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Aron Baynes will not return. Baynes agreed to a deal with Boston and Caldwell-Pope will not return after Detroit withdrew his qualifying offer and renounced his rights.

Moore is owed $25.9 million over the next three seasons. The 28-year-old guard averaged a career-high 9.6 points and 24.9 minutes per game for New Orleans primarily off the bench.

Ajinca is owed $10.3 million over the next two seasons. The 29-year-old center averaged 5.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in 15 minutes per game for New Orleans last season.

Sources: Pistons and Pelicans have discussed a potential trade of Reggie Jackson for E’Twaun Moore and Alexis Ajinca. Full story coming soon

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 11, 2017