OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) " Stephen Jackson is one person the Golden State Warriors consider part of their long-term plans.
Golden State has signed its leading scorer to a three-year contract extension announced Monday, a deal that takes the explosive guard-forward through the 2012-13 season.
Since Jackson arrived in the Bay Area in a trade with the Indiana Pacers in January 2007, he has been a key piece for coach Don Nelson and a major spark for the Warriors. He helped the team end a 12-year playoff drought that year and reach the postseason's second round.
"We're excited to have Stephen under contract for the next several years," Warriors president Robert Rowell said in a statement. "He has been nothing short of terrific " both on the floor and in the community " since we acquired him almost two years ago. He has embraced this opportunity with the Warriors and has become a leader of a very young basketball team. Furthermore, he expressed a desire to be here long-term and we wanted him to be a part of our team as we move forward. We view this as a win-win for everyone."
The 30-year-old Jackson is leading the Warriors in scoring at 22.1 points per game to go along with 6.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds in an NBA-best 43.4 minutes through 10 games entering Monday's action. Last season, Jackson established career highs in points (20.1), assists (4.1), three-point field goals (182), three-point percentage (.363), free throw percentage (.832) and minutes per game (39.1 mpg).
Golden State was the first 48-win NBA team not to make the playoffs last season and is coming off consecutive winning seasons for the first time in 16 years.
"I'm extremely happy," Jackson said. "The Bay Area has become my second home since I arrived here in 2007 and I can't accurately describe how good it feels to be wanted and appreciated by an organization. The Warriors from Chris Cohan, Robert Rowell, Chris Mullin and Coach Nelson to the last person working in the front office have embraced me since day one. This organization has put me in a position to succeed and, for that, I will be forever grateful. I am really looking forward to the next several years, helping this young team win and providing my veteran leadership."