Update: The San Antonio Spurs just sent out a news release confirming the trade. The final details are Richard Jefferson, T.J. Ford and a protected 2012 1st round pick for Stephen Jackson.
As Trevor Zickgraf just reported for Project Spurs, the San Antonio Spurs were active in trade talks just hours before the end of the trade deadline.
While early rumors had them dangling Danny Green for Josh Howard and some interest in Jonny Flynn, ESPN’s Ric Bucher reported heavy talks between the Spurs and the Golden State Warriors to swap Richard Jefferson and newly-acquired Stephen Jackson, a former Spur.
Several reports are now calling this a done deal.
Yahoo’s Marc J. Spears says the Spurs have officially acquired Jackson and the Spurs also sent along a first round pick as part of the package.
Jackson won a championship with the Spurs in 2003 and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has been one of the only coaches that has been able to keep Jackson focused, so I expect Jackson to fall in line and play his role for the Spurs.
While Jackson and Jefferson’s deals are nearly identical, Jefferson had a player option for 2013-14 that Jackson does not. Jackson should add some athleticism that the Spurs expected from Jefferson, a leader and another scorer, which makes the Spurs even deeper and better prepared for a late playoff run.
