Pacers plan to convert Quenton Jackson's contract into his first standard NBA deal
Persistence and presence pay off as Indiana rewards the guard with a three-year contract.
The Pacers are planning to convert guard Quenton Jackson’s two-way contract into his first standard NBA deal, a league source confirmed to Fieldhouse Files.
It will be a three-year contract that keeps him under team control through the end of the 2027-28 season. The remainder of this season is fully guaranteed.
The team has had an open roster spot for the past month, since Tony Bradley’s second 10-day contract expired at the end of January. That provided flexibility before the trade deadline, and with the spot still available, they are now positioned to reward one of their own.
With 22 games remaining in the regular season, the move also eliminates the nightly roster calculus. Players on two-way contracts may be active for up to 50 games per season, and Indiana no longer has to manage Jackson’s eligibility.
Due to injury issues dating back to before the regular season, the Pacers have relied on Jackson — along with two-way guards Ethan Thompson and Taelon Peter — more than most teams typically depend on players in roster spots 16 through 18.
“Whether six guys are hurt or everybody’s playing, he’s always ready to go and give it his all,” Jarace Walker said. “His effort and his energy overtakes everything. So I’m just definitely proud of him for always staying ready.”
Jackson is averaging 9.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in fewer than 15 minutes per game. He’s shooting 48.9% from the field, including 40.5% from 3-point range — both career highs.
He has started 10 of the 30 games in which he’s appeared. Throughout February, his playing time climbed to more than 24 minutes per game.
This follows three separate two-way contracts with Indiana, beginning March 4, 2024. He’s been committed to the franchise, playing two years at NBA Summer League and then participating in training camp.
Now, two years after the Pacers added him late in the season, Jackson is receiving a multi-year commitment.
“I feel like too many times in situations like mine, I don’t get to come in to a new situation and just be myself,” Jackson said soon after he first signed with Indiana. “The whole Pacer organization, from the top to the bottom, they have allowed me to just come in here and be myself, give energy to the team, give energy to the organization.”
Jackson, 27, went undrafted in 2022 out of Texas A&M. He quickly was embraced and respected by teammates. His love for the game is evident, as is his competitive edge. He provides a welcome jolt off the bench, a lightning rod who can get to the rim in a hurry and has forceful finishes that stick with you.
“I think his energy is contagious,” said guard Andrew Nembhard. “When he’s having a good day or a bad day, he brings that winning energy that we need in the building. Plays with it as well on court on both sides, with just his pace and his ability to just be an agitator out there.
“He’s just a fearless guy.”
Against the Jazz on Feb. 3, Jackson went 9 of 10 from the field and scored 24 points.
“He always competes at a very high level,” head coach Rick Carlisle after the game. “He brings the right emotion and spirit to the game. He went out there and banged in two 3s and got to the rim.”
Earlier this season, the California native recorded career highs of 25 points and 10 assists in 31 minutes during a home win over Golden State.
The new deal will be for the league minimum, doubling Jackson’s annual salary. Two-way players earn half the rookie minimum — $636,435 this season.
While it will not impact him this year, two-way players are ineligible for the playoffs. During Indiana’s run to Game 7 of the NBA Finals last season, however, the Pacers had their two-way players along for the ride. So although they were not playing, they were experiencing it through their teammates and helping however they could.
This promotion also allows the Pacers to fill his former two-way slot with another player. Teams have until March 4 to do so.
The Pacers (15-45) return to action on Sunday, at home against the Memphis Grizzlies (5 p.m. ET)