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Report: Thunder unlikely to be able to extend Jackson, would become RFA next summer

Alonzo Adams / USA Today SPorts

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The Oklahoma City Thunder have played this game before.

Just two years ago, they had a complementary role player on their bench developing into a potential star, one they probably weren't going to be able to afford on a long-term contract at the player's asking price. In that case, the Thunder opted to deal James Harden to the Rockets a year before he became a restricted free agent, allowing Houston to sign him to a five-year extension.

Reggie Jackson is no Harden, but the situation is similar in that the emerging Jackson and the Thunder face an Oct. 31 deadline for a contract extension. Once that date passes, Jackson would be locked in as a restricted free agent in the summer of 2015.

That appears to be the reality facing both sides, with no extension expected this offseason, according to the Oklahoman:

The Thunder would prefer to lock up Jackson this offseason, but that’s not likely. It’s possible that Jackson plays for a contract in each of the next two seasons in Oklahoma City, which generally motivates a guy rather well, although if Jackson already wasn’t given his full focus and energy, Presti misread that DNA.

Jackson's potential free agency comes at an interesting time, as many league insiders are expecting a significant rise in the salary cap in the summer of 2016. That may give Jackson the incentive to play out this season, sign a one-year qualifying offer next summer, and then be an unrestricted free agent in 2016, when teams could be flush with cap space.

That's risky, however, and there's still plenty of time between now and Oct. 31 for things to change. Jackson emerged as an important two-way piece last season, one capable of playing alongside Russell Westbrook in the backcourt, and averaged 13.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists in just 28.5 minutes. 

His role should expand further this season, too.

There are two ways to look at this if Jackson is going to play out the next two years to become an unrestricted free agent and cash in: either the Thunder have a valuable piece locked in at a very reasonable salary for two years, or they're risking losing an asset for nothing sometime soon. Given his immense value for 2014-15 on a $2.2 million contract, the former seems the better viewpoint for now.

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