Clippers to Sign Luke Jackson

by Steve Perrin on Jan 8, 2007 9:17 AM PST in News

The Clippers are expected to sign Luke Jackson to a 10-day contract today, something I advocated they do back on October 27 after he was cut by the Celtics. Jackson was a monster in college, arguably the best of the trio at Oregon that included Luke Ridnour and Fred Jones. He can shoot the ball, and he can also take it to the basket. He was originally drafted by Cleveland with the 10th pick in 2004, but found himself behind a guy named Lebron, and also suffered an injury in his rookie year. So you're talking about a lottery pick from the Livingston draft who's 25 and has played 361 minutes in the NBA. In other words, he hasn't really gotten a chance. Given the success of some other Pac-10 small forwards who Jackson torched in college (Matt Barnes, Trevor Ariza, Jason, Kapono, Josh Childress, Andre Iguodala, etc.), I for one am looking forward to seeing what he can do.

The guy can shoot. In extremely limited game time, he has made 16 of 42 three point attempts in the NBA. In 6 games with the Idaho Stampede in the D-League this season, he's made 7 of his 12 three point attempts.

Why didn't the Clippers just sign him back in October? Well, the short answer is because they wanted to maintain some level of roster flexibility. Last Friday was the first day that teams could sign players to 10 day contracts. So if Jackson doesn't work out, they can try someone else. And apparently MDSr has realized after 34 games what seemed painfully obvious before the season had started, that this team does not have enough shooters. Of course, if they'd signed him to a non-guaranteed contract in October, they could have cut him in December and had exactly the same amount of flexibility, but I'm not the GM or the coach.

Of course, they have been taking a lot of my ideas lately (the one dribble rule, signing Luke Jackson).

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More personnel moves...

Luke Jackson is definitely an interesting pickup. Now Dunleavy just has to find minutes for him. Of this, I am not so confident. And will they announce in time for tonight's game or Wed? That rumor hit hoopshype over the weekend...

Also, I took in both Warriors games over the weekend. Making clear that I was always joking before, I find it almost certain now that the Clippers will do worse than trading Maggette for MDJr.

MDJr. has one asset no current (healthy) Clipper really has and the team might be sorely lacking. He can do anything with the ball. Every current Clipper has one role with one backup move, at best. In the absence of Sam, and until Shaun decides to, no other player can go to triple threat position and be a triple threat. Watching MDJr., he can.

I'm not saying he is a savior, and maybe he just got super hot in those two games. But against the Sonics and Suns combined he played 40 minutes, shot 9-13 including 2-2 from deep, grabbed 6 boards, added 4 assists with only 3 TO and 2 fouls for 26 points. MDJr. is qualified to lead the break and handle the ball as well.

All of that said, I'm still not really advocating it, I'm just putting what I saw out there.

But c'mon, Livy/Jackson/MDJr., wouldn't spread the floor?

by John R on Jan 8, 2007 9:50 AM PST reply actions

I agree

Jr. has skills.

Saw him at Duke. Proably better all around than Maggette.

He has a bad attitude, though.

Remember what Sprewell said to the fan a Staples to get fined?

I once saw Dun Jr. get ejected from a game for inviting a ref to perform the same act on him.

One would expect the son of a pretty polished NBA coach to have a little more class.

by mp on Jan 8, 2007 10:25 AM PST up reply actions

Really?

Actually, the Clippers could probably use a mouthpiece too right about now.

by John R on Jan 8, 2007 10:48 AM PST reply actions

Announced

http://www.nba.com/clippers/news/jacksonsigns_070108.html

by John R on Jan 8, 2007 10:51 AM PST reply actions

Jackson vs. MDJr

I firmly believe that MDSr is not foolish / arrogant / shortsighted enough to trade for his own son. The fact that he is generally perceived to be an overpaid underacheiver makes it untenable. It would be one thing if he was a second round pick making $3M. But he was the third player picked in that draft, and is owed $45M for the next 5 years (one of the contracts Mullin was handing out like Halloween candy a couple years ago). Amd now he's playing behind a refugee from the D-League (Barnes) and a frog (Pietrus). I agree he has skills, but who would want the baggage that would come with that deal?

Furthermore, if you want a 6'7" white dude with ball skills who can shoot, they just signed one. I saw a lot of Jackson and MDJr in college, and Jackson was the better college player. He has yet to get a chance to do anything in the Assoc. Let's see what happens these next 10 days.

As for minutes, I don't expect Maggette to be a Clipper much longer, if indeed we ever see him again. Bringing in Jackson at this point might be in preparation for trading Maggette for picks, rather than trying to get immediate help.

by Steve Perrin on Jan 8, 2007 1:01 PM PST reply actions

Picks??

What a shame that would be.

I don't think any team has a worse drafting record than the Clippers. They suck in the draft.

This team was built thru trades. Elgin is a great trader. That should be the focus.

They need to start Maggette, showcase him, and hope that someone decides they want a 20 point scorer on their team.

But by rarely playing a guy who is known to be a hard worker and have a good attitude, the Clippers are basically saying that Maggette sucks.

Maybe he does.

by mp on Jan 8, 2007 1:34 PM PST up reply actions

Picks

Bo Kimble, LeRon Ellis, Randy Woods, Terry Dehere, Lamond Murray... are you saying these guys weren't great lottery picks?

Elgin and Isiah are the complete opposite of each other. Isiah does very well in the draft, and then makes disastrous trades, while Elgin is awful at drafting, but has made some tremendous trades. Am I the only one who sees that they should be co-GMs somewhere (with well-defined roles, of course)?

Sam Smith in Chicago characterized Maggette today as 'suddenly in demand', but I'm not seeing it. The Vince Carter stuff is just talk, at least until the Nets make a conscious decision to tank the season and enter the Oden sweepstakes. Mike Miller is not happening, nor is Artest. If we're down to Matt Harpring or James Posey, I think I'd rather have a decent draft pick.

This is all on the assumption that Maggette is going to be moved one way or another. My first choice of course would be that he become the starting small forward and play 38 minutes a night, but that does not appear to be an option.

by Steve Perrin on Jan 8, 2007 1:55 PM PST up reply actions

Rumors about rumors

A potential definition of what the Clippers are looking for for Maggs:

Via Hoopsworld:

According to an NBA executive, the Los Angeles Clippers have recently defined exactly what they want in return for Corey Maggette. An executive who spoke recently with the Clippers noted they want a solid veteran player, a young player with potential, and a future first round draft pick in return for Maggette.

Wow, they think they can get that much? I wonder what the price for Mobley is? A goose that lays gold eggs?

by John R on Jan 8, 2007 4:36 PM PST up reply actions

LOL

That's basically what the Sixers wanted for Iverson. I wonder if they'll get it? Given that they are rapidly defining Maggette himself as 'veteran malcontent who plays no defense' (right or wrong, that's how MDSr is defining him with his actions), it seems like one of the three from their wish list would be all they could ask.

Weird things happen at the trade deadline. Teams decide to start over, guys become available who weren't previously available, etc. But if the Clippers don't move Maggette before then, it will be the Clippers starting over. They could probably get a lot for him then, but can they wait that long?

by Steve Perrin on Jan 8, 2007 5:03 PM PST up reply actions