Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

Top 15 NBA Draft picks in OKC Thunder franchise history

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 6: Oklahoma City Thunder players, from left, Kendrick Perkins #5, Kevin Durant #35, Serge Ibaka #9 and Russell Westbrook #0 celebrate with the Western Conference Finals Champions trophy following their team's victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on June 6, 2012 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 6: Oklahoma City Thunder players, from left, Kendrick Perkins #5, Kevin Durant #35, Serge Ibaka #9 and Russell Westbrook #0 celebrate with the Western Conference Finals Champions trophy following their team's victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on June 6, 2012 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft - Top 15 picks All-Time
Reggie Jackson #15 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 25, 2015.(Photo by Rocky Widner/Getty Images) /

Reggie Jackson

2011 NBA Draft: Round 1, Pick 24

Rumors of Reggie Jackson working in concert with the OKC Thunder surround his 24th selection in 2011. In truth, it’s hard to blame the Boston College product for wanting to land with the rising Thunder.

Just prior to the draft that summer OKC  made it to the Western Conference Finals succumbing to the eventual champion Mavericks.  Jackson canceled workouts and meetings he had with other teams and got his wish when Presti selected him 24th.

Per Game Table
Season Age G GS MP FG FGA FG% 3P% 2P% eFG% FT% TRB AST STL BLK PTS
2011-12 21 45 0 11.1 1.1 3.5 .321 .210 .392 .362 .862 1.2 1.6 0.6 0.0 3.1
2012-13 22 70 0 14.2 2.1 4.6 .458 .231 .566 .495 .839 2.4 1.7 0.4 0.2 5.3
2013-14 23 80 36 28.5 5.0 11.5 .440 .339 .477 .485 .893 3.9 4.1 1.1 0.1 13.1
2014-15 24 77 40 29.5 5.6 12.9 .434 .299 .477 .470 .830 4.2 6.0 0.8 0.1 14.5
2014-15 24 50 13 28.0 5.0 11.5 .432 .278 .490 .470 .861 4.0 4.3 0.8 0.1 12.8
Career 448 250 24.8 4.7 10.9 .430 .320 .472 .474 .857 3.0 4.4 0.7 0.1 12.4

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/18/2018.

Mr. Disenchanted

To say Reggie Jackson experienced a bumpy tenure in OKC would be a massive understatement. Theoretically, RJ appeared to be precisely what the Thunder were missing in terms of having another ball-handling playmaker who could complement their stars.

In his second season following James Harden’s trade his opportunity to stake a claim was prime for the taking. The spotlight got brighter with Westbook’s untimely playoff injury (thanks to Patrick Beverley!).

While Jackson performed well filling in for Westbrook the overriding belief moving forward was he would return to the bench and help offset Harden’s absence. That was everyone except Jackson who felt his presence deserved starters minutes. In just his second season with the Thunder, the issues began as RJ became disenchanted with his role.

Instead, Jackson spent more time complaining and talking like he deserved to be viewed on the same level as Westbrook or the recently departed Harden.  The problem was his numbers weren’t warranting his claims.

Jackson forced the Thunder’s hand and was traded to Detroit. In return, OKC got Enes Kanter, Kyle Singler, and D.J. Augustin back. Not bad compensation for the 24th pick of the 2011 draft.

In his four seasons with Detroit, he’s been hampered by injury. Given Jackson’s mindset, there was no getting around the chemistry issues and this has to be viewed as one of the better NBA Draft picks made by Sam Presti.

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