Clippings: Could Reggie Jackson be Clippers’ X-factor?

While we wait to find out which players will play and which will opt out of the NBA restart, which will begin July 30 in Orlando, talk is naturally turning to on-court matters, and NBATV show “Gametime” spoke to LA Times Clippers beat writer Andrew Greif Monday about just that.

Among the many Clippers-related topics covered during the segment was how the team would deal with the possible absence of Lou Williams. While Greif said Williams appears to be “50-50” on his decision to play the rest of the season at this point, while also noting the Clippers are optimistic he will ultimately play, Greif highlighted Reggie Jackson as a player who could be counted on if Williams sits out.

Jackson has played just nine games so far for the Clippers, averaging 9.4 points and 3.2 assists on just under 20 minutes a game . Obviously, if he gets the nod, his production and minutes would be expected to jump significantly. But he’s got experience, both as a starter for the Pistons and as a complementary player with the Thunder, and the Clippers will be relying on veteran know-how if they are going to win the NBA title.

We’ll see what Williams decides — and for what it’s worth, it should be his choice to make, to be supported regardless — but one way or another, Jackson could be a player to watch as the Clippers try to put it all together.

You can watch the Gametime segment on the NBA website.

More news for Tuesday:

• Black Lives Matter to go on hardwood: ESPN reports the courts used in Orlando will have “Black Lives Matter” painted on them. Talks appear to be ongoing to offer other methods of advocacy around games.
• DJ to sit out restart because of coronavirus: DeAndre Jordan has both tested positive for COVID-19 and ruled himself out of the rest of the season. Jordan plays for the Nets now, who are scheduled to face the Clippers on Aug. 9. Get well soon, DJ.

• Deng coulda been a Clipper: In this sprawling retelling of how LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwyane Wade with the Heat by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst comes the tidbit that the Bulls tried to clear their books to get that trio to go to Chicago by offering to trade Luol Deng to the Clippers, but LA passed.
• Clippers ticket auction: Tuesday is the last day to bid on the Confirmed360 auction to meet Paul George and get two courtside tickets to a Clippers game (when fans return to Staples Center), plus a game-worn jersey and shoes.
• HBCUs could be basketball hotbeds? Thought this story on Historically Black Colleges and Universities potentially becoming NCAA powers in the years to come in ESPN was interesting. It appears there’s an opportunity, with the actual powerhouse programs coming to look more and more exploitative every year, that HBCUs could provide Black players a more amenable environment to play and study in.
• Recounting Mavs’ long collapse: Our friends at SB Nation have a new episode of “Collapse” out and it’s about the Dallas Mavericks over the past decade. Sure is nice to get top-line free agents, huh?