Reps for D-League leading scorer Pierre Jackson get permission to seek trade
RENO, Nev. – The representatives for NBA Development League leading scorer Pierre Jackson have received permission from the New Orleans Pelicans to pursue a trade.
Jackson is averaging 30.1 points and 4.8 assists in 17 games this season with the Idaho Stampede. The former Baylor star scored a D-League-high 49 points against Fort Wayne on Dec. 14. The Pelicans own Jackson's draft rights and can call him up, but their roster is guard-heavy. The Pelicans could be seeking a draft pick or a player making a minimum salary in a trade for Jackson's draft rights, a source told Yahoo Sports.
"Pierre is playing great," Jackson's agent, Colin Bryant, said from the D-League Showcase here Monday. "I have a great relationship with [Pelicans general manager] Dell Demps. We're working together to do what is best for both Pierre and the Pelicans."
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Jackson led Baylor to a 2013 National Invitational Tournament championship and averaged 19.8 points and 7.1 assists as a senior. The 5-foot-11, 176-pounder was drafted 42nd overall in the second round of the 2013 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers before his rights were traded to the Pelicans. Jackson, the third overall selection of the 2013 D-League draft, earns a $28,000 salary with the Stampede. The minimum salary for an NBA rookie is $490,180.
"He's an NBA player. He can help a team right now," one NBA GM said.
Jackson scored 33 points, with five 3-pointers and eight assists, during Idaho's 93-88 victory over the Canton Charge on Monday morning. The D-League Showcase began Sunday and ends Thursday with each team playing twice in front of NBA front office executives and scouts.
Jackson said he is doing his best not to let his situation stress him.
"I can only take it one way, try to stay positive through it all, stay positive, continue to play the way I'm playing and win games," said Jackson, who has averaged 37.3 points in his past three games.
