The Indiana Pacers clearly like Quenton Jackson. They have kept him around for the past three seasons and finally signed him to a standard contract earlier this year. But after his poor end to the regular season, it's fair to wonder if Indiana will look for an upgrade.
In a recent episode of the "Locked On Pacers" podcast, Tony East noted that the team might look to add more depth at point guard. Tyrese Haliburton is returning from an Achilles injury, T.J. McConnell is aging, and Andrew Nembhard is going to go back to his starting shooting guard role. In theory, Jackson could make sense as the Pacers' true third point guard, but there are reasons to be concerned about that.
"If Quenton Jackson was a pure point guard or clearly a point guard every play, I would not even be talking about this, but I do wonder if the Pacers still think another point guard would behoove them," East said.
"Quenton Jackson is a good player. I thought they should do what they did with his contract. He did not close the season particularly strong, even though I am generally a believer in what he is as a player. But are they happy with their point guard depth right now, or do they feel like they need someone else?"
Quenton Jackson may have played his last game for the Pacers
Jackson is a solid player for the Pacers, and he absolutely deserved to have his contract converted into a standard deal. But the fact of the matter is that Indiana hasn't paid the luxury tax in over two decades, and with the possibility of the team adding a top lottery pick in this year's draft, some salary-shedding moves could be on the horizon.
And the Los Angeles native may be a casualty.
Jackson is set to make $2.6 million next season, but it will only become fully guaranteed if he's on the roster on July 15, according to Spotrac. If the Pacers aren't sold on him being their third point guard next season, moving on from him could make sense for financial flexibility.
In his 19 games since signing a standard contract, Jackson averaged 9.1 points, 4 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 turnovers while shooting 44.4% from the field and 27.3% from deep in 19.9 minutes.
These numbers aren't atrocious, but they're a little disappointing given that it was a bit of an audition for next season in a way, and he didn't make that leap the team was hoping to see. Plus, as East mentioned, it's still unclear whether Jackson can be a pure point guard, or if he is best fit as a combo guard.
The Texas A&M has had his moments in a Pacers uniform, and there is a lot to like about his game. But his days in Indiana could be numbered as the team looks to gain financial flexibility and bolster its depth ahead of a title push.
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