OKLAHOMA CITY -- Former Thunder and current Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson makes his return to Oklahoma City on Friday to play the team that drafted and then eventually traded him last season.

Jackson's relationship with the organization and his teammates deteriorated to an uncomfortable place by the end of his tenure with the Thunder, so there could be some uncomfortable tension as he takes the floor.

But Kevin Durant, while willing to acknowledge that Jackson's departure came on poor terms, is happy to see his former teammate producing for the Pistons.

“Reggie's doing well in Detroit," Durant said. "We had a rough ending last year with Reggie, but I can just think about when he first got here how hard he worked, how great of a teammate he is and every guy wants that opportunity [to be a starter]."

Durant said hasn't spoken with Jackson since Orlando Summer League, when both were in attendance to support their respective teams.

"It was tough," Durant said of Jackson's ending with the Thunder. "I didn’t like some of the stuff he said in the media and how he went about it, but at the end of the day you’ve got to respect a guy who wants that opportunity and I can appreciate a guy who wants that opportunity."

Jackson made his desire to be a starter very clear throughout last season, which culminated in his agent requesting the Thunder trade him at the deadline. The Thunder obliged, sending Jackson to Detroit in a three-way deal that netted them Kyle Singler, D.J. Augustin from the Pistons, and Enes Kanter and Steve Novak from the Utah Jazz.

The day Jackson was traded in February, he tweeted:"Crying tears of joy #godisgreat."

Jackson signed a four-year, $80 million deal with the Pistons in the offseason, becoming a centerpiece to their rebuilding project. Jackson has taken over a starting role and has excelled as expected, averaging 19.3 points and 6.0 assists per game, with a solid player efficiency rating of 20.4 as Detroit has gotten off to an 8-7 start. As it stands, he could be an All-Star guard in the East.

"Just another game," Jackson said at the team's shootaround Friday. "Might change when you get out there and see familiar faces, and in the stands, but right now it's just another game."

As Durant said, Jackson's exit wasn't exactly handled well, but in the end he got what he wanted and is backing up his decision to bet on himself.

"I wish he would've went about it a little better, Durant said, "but Reggie is always going to be a brother to me and I'm excited we get to play against him tonight and glad he got the opportunity."