Indiana Pacers fans have long been saying it, and on Tuesday night, they were vindicated: Quenton Jackson deserves a standard contract with the team.
Jackson has spent his entire three-season Pacers career on a two-way contract up to this point, though most would tell you he is way too good to be on such a deal. And now more than ever, the Pacers need to reward his play and convert his contract.
During Indiana's win against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, the California native recorded 19 points on 5-for-7 shooting, six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and a block. (He also scored a game-high seven points in overtime). And in his last game prior (Feb. 3 against the Utah Jazz), he recorded 24 points on 9-for-10 shooting, three assists, three steals, and a rebound in 17 minutes off the bench.
After Tuesday's game, head coach Rick Carlisle spoke about Jackson and the impact he makes whenever he steps onto the court.
"He's played well all year in every different role you can be in," Carlisle said about Jackson. "He's been a third-stringer. He's been a G Leaguer on a two-way. He's been a starter. I mean, if it wasn't for him, I don't know if we would've ever won a game at the beginning of the season. ... He's been great."
The Pacers should sign Quenton Jackson to a standard contract
Jackson has shown promise all season long, and that doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon.
He is incredibly athletic and is a beast in transition and driving to the rim. Additionally, he is a ferocious and scrappy defender who brings a ton of energy and can play the passing lanes and make life tough for the opposition. It also seems like he may be improving as a perimeter shooter as he is currently shooting a career-high 41.1% from deep on 2.2 attempts per game.
People have been saying for at least all of this season that Jackson deserves to be on a standard contract, but that's especially true now. Not only is he playing some of the best basketball of his career, but he could greatly benefit a Pacers team that no longer has Bennedict Mathurin and will be without Johnny Furphy for the rest of the season.
The Texas A&M alum isn't a perfect player, and it's going to be hard for him to carve out a long-term role in Indiana. He is already 27 years old and is on a team that also rosters Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, and maybe Darryn Peterson one day. However, it's clear that he has talent and makes an impact on the court.
Indiana needs to reward Jackson for his incredible performances by finally signing him to a standard deal. And as it stands, it seems like it could happen as soon as this season.