The 2024 NBA Preseason is about to begin, finally putting a leash on what has felt like a longer break than usual. The Philadelphia 76ers, parading an even more lethal roster this time around, have very good depth on most, if not all positions, especially in the backcourt.
During the latter stages of free agency, the team came to terms with Reggie Jackson on a minimum deal, securing the services of one of the most productive backups in the NBA in the previous campaign. Jackson arrives to a team already rich in options at the guard positions, bolstering it further and injecting it with even more needed experience.
Reggie Jackson makes the 76ers backcourt even better
Despite his advanced age at 34, Jackson turned in a pretty stable individual campaign last season, tallying 10.2 points and 3.8 assists for Denver last season as their nominal sixth man. While he’s nowhere near aas explosive as he once was, he still cleary had something left in the tank as a score-first combo guard.
Jackson is unlikely to reprise a similar role to the same degree with the 76ers next season, thanks in large part to the team’s overwhelming amount of viable guards who can crack the rotation. In fact, the initial sentiment of some was that the team’s acquisition of the veteran was too superfluous given their surplus of backcourt options.
Nevertheless, a team with a third-string point guard like Jackson has for itself a hell of a luxury. His play style is one thatn thrives in spontaneity, so a drastically reduced role shouldn’t faze him. Should Tyrese Maxey or Kyle Lowry need a breather, the mere ability to trot the 13-year veteran out would ensure that the team is still imbued with steady guard play.
Expect Reggie Jackson to be yet another battle-tested voice of reason for the Philadelphia 76ers next season. Sure, he could be in for a pretty menial role in the grand scheme of things, but given precedence, he’s far too unlikely to just be an embellishment next season.