Indiana Pacers fans have been clamoring for Quenton Jackson to get some bigger opportunities for multiple seasons. And now, he's forcing the Pacers to at least have the discussion.
Jackson has missed a lot of time this season due to multiple injuries, but when he is on the court, he is making an impact. Through seven games this season (including four starts), he has averaged 10 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting 48.9% from the field and 42.1% from deep in 19.4 minutes.
These numbers aren't jaw-dropping, but that's because they don't tell the whole story. The California native plays with heart and effort. Additionally, he is incredibly athletic, fits well in the Pacers' system, and he also provides value defensively. This was especially noticeable during Indiana's 114-113 loss to the New York Knicks on Dec. 19, when he guarded Jalen Brunson late in the fourth quarter and forced him to turn the ball over.
After the game, head coach Rick Carlisle spoke about Jackson and how much of an impact he makes on the court (h/t Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star).
"Quenton is an aggressive player," Carlisle said. "He's done a lot of good things for us the past two plus years. We believe in him. We believe in hard play. We believe in aggression. He did a lot of good things on both sides of the ball tonight. Deflections. He hit some big shots. He hit the big 3in the corner in the fourth quarter. That was a big play."
Quenton Jackson deserves more opportunities with the Pacers
Jackson is on a two-way contract and has been throughout his entire stint in Indiana. However, many would say that he is way too good to be on this type of deal, and that the Pacers should give him a standard contract.
It's going to be tough for the Texas A&M alum to carve out a legitimate role once Tyrese Haliburton returns, but he is still making the most of his opportunities this season and is showcasing how much he can contribute. Plus, it seems like some of Jackson's teammates enjoy playing alongside him, including Andrew Nembhard.
"Q brings a lot of energy to the game," Nembhard said after Indiana's loss to the Knicks. "He's been around with us, feels comfortable playing with us. He brings some swagger to both sides of the floor. I have fun playing out there with Q."
It remains to be seen what exactly is in store for Jackson moving forward. He's proving that he can be a valuable asset for the Pacers, but they also already have plenty of guard depth. Haliburton will be back next season, Nembhard is still going to play a big role, T.J. McConnell is still contributing, and Kam Jones has some potential as well.
Still, Jackson is making it clear that the Pacers need to give him a bigger role. And it's up to them to make it happen.