Pelicans D-League point guard Pierre Jackson has been getting interest in trade rumors heading out of the All-Star break and teams like the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors have emerged as potential targets for the New Orleans point guard.
Jackson has been wasting away a bit in the developmental league, as the Pelicans have a number of players that fit his position, including Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans and that has left him to play in the D-League. Jackson tied a record with 58 points in a game this season and has been averaging around 30 points all year and that could spark some interest from teams around the league, especially ones that are looking for depth at point guard.
The Washington Wizards have been mentioned as a team that is looking for point guard help behind John Wall and with names like Luke Ridnour and Andre Miller on the market, Jackson could emerge as a secondary option. The Warriors have reportedly been looking at Andre Miller as a veteran addition, while the Bulls have been playing without Derrick Rose all season after he was injured and the Miami Heat could be a fit, but they likely do not have the assets to make a move. The Cavaliers have said they plan on being buyers for the deadline despite the fact that they are terrible and a bit of a mess, while the Grizzlies reportedly are also looking to add at the February 20 date.
At one point this season Jackson was averaging over 30 points and had a streak of that and he comes into the NBA after averaging nearly 20 points and eight assists at Baylor. Jackson has come out and said he is a bit frustrated with playing in the D-League and he has said that Europe could be an option if the NBA situation doesn't work out. Jackson came to the Pelicans in a draft day trade and the team currently has the max roster amount of players and that is what has kept Jackson in the D-League.
The Pelicans have not yet received an offer they like in regards to Jackson and while they want to hang onto him, if a deal comes their way that is worth it, the team is likely to consider it. The Pelicans have shown improvement in some areas, but they remain in the bottom part of the west and this could be a good way to continue rebuilding around Anthony Davis. The Nuggets could be an option if they decide to trade Andre Miller and with Jackson continuing to light things up in the NBA minor leagues, he will continue to draw attention as a possible trade option for teams into the second half.
The Wizards have not gotten much production out of their second line at the position and that could be an option and since Wall has been playing so well, the team could be motivated to do it. The Phoenix Suns are interesting as well, as they have four draft picks and they could afford to give up a first round pick and they have been looking to add something at the deadline with the way they have been playing. The Suns don't have much behind Goran Dragic and adding Jackson could give them some flexibility moving forward if Eric Bledsoe's injury lingers. The team had been looking to trade for Pau Gasol, but heading into the deadline that was put on the backburner after he was injured.
