David Pincus of Basketball Insiders reports that the Detroit Pistons tendered Reggie Jackson a qualifying offer worth $4.4 million, making him a restricted free agent, and giving Motown the option to match any offer sheet the 25 year-old point guard may sign. Jackson, who averaged 17.6 points, 9.2 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 27 games for the Pistons this season, is expected to be offered a max contract by Stan Van Gundy.
Retaining the point guard was seen as a priority entering the offseason, but rumors arose that the Pistons would be inclined to let Jackson walk if Emmanuel Mudiay was available when they pick in the upcoming draft. Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press shed some light on the situation, explaining that whilst the Pistons would draft Mudiay should he slide, it wouldn't be at the expense of Reggie Jackson. Ellis also points out that by being vocal about their intention to draft the point guard, it could create a market for Detroit's pick to help them trade down in the draft.
Reggie Jackson is considered to be the Pistons' future at point guard, with Stan Van Gundy dubbing him "his point guard", should the Pistons draft Mudiay, and decide to keep him, it would leave Jodie Meeks, Brandon Jennings and Spencer Dinwiddie in a precarious spot, as the team would most likely have to trade one of them to get rid of the logjam at guard.