Pistons' Stan Van Gundy denies report of Jackson-Rubio trade talk
Detroit Pistons president-coach Stan Van Gundy denied an ESPN report that there are currently trade discussions with the Minnesota Timberwolves involving point guard Reggie Jackson.
In a series of texts to the Free Press, Van Gundy said the organization doesn't "have a single thing under consideration."
ESPN.com, citing unnamed sources, is reporting a Jackson-for-Ricky Rubio multiplayer swap has been discussed.
Van Gundy said general manager Jeff Bower is doing his due diligence with teams.
"Jeff is in constant contact with every other NBA team as he should be," Van Gundy wrote. "That is normal NBA personnel work. Nothing more. Nothing less."
A league source told the Free Press this week that the Pistons had gauged the trade value of Jackson with other teams, but a team source even denied that.
"We aren't shopping anyone," the source said.
The perception around the league is Jackson's trade value is down. He missed the season's first 21 games with left knee tendinitis and the Pistons went 11-10 without him.
Jackson has struggled in his re-acclimation, along with the rest of the team, although he has been better of late, averaging over 20 points on 45.7% shooting from three-point range in nine games this month.
In 23 games this season, Jackson is averaging 16.7 points and 5.3 assists in 29 minutes per game.
Rubio, 26, is posting 7.7 points, 7.9 assists and 1.8 steals in 31.6 minutes over 38 games. He is shooting 24.1% from three-point range and is a career 30.8% shooter from deep.
In late December, Van Gundy told fans to ease up on talk of shipping out Jackson.
Jackson, who turns 27 in April, is in the second year of a 5-year, $80 million deal. After this season, Rubio has two seasons and $29.2 million left on his contract.
Related:
A little freedom from Stan Van Gundy helps Pistons' Reggie Jackson
The T'wolves (15-28) have a point guard in waiting with Kris Dunn, the fifth pick in the 2016 NBA draft.
The Pistons are mired in a disappointing 20-24 season, despite winning two straight entering Saturday's game vs. Washington (6, FSD). Detroit entered Friday night's play 1.5 games behind Chicago for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
On Wednesday, ESPN's Zach Lowe mentioned Jackson in a feature on the New Orleans Pelicans, writing: "Let's just say there is a disagreement between the Pistons and every team they've talked to about the level of Jackson's availability."
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 23.
More Pistons coverage:
Gores: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 'has what it takes to be a Piston'
Despite woes, Pistons' Tom Gores has 'full confidence' in Van Gundy
Download our Pistons Xtra app on iTunes or Android!
Be sure to follow Freep Sports on Twitter (@freepsports) and Instagram and like us on on Facebook.