New Orleans Pelicans: What Happens with Frank Jackson?
Let Frank Jackson Go to Another Team
Jackson showed occasional flashes, especially leading up to the suspension of play, when he was getting more minutes as the Pelicans searched for a spark off the bench.
But Jackson has been largely inconsistent in his short career, as he seems to either be hitting big shots and playing great defense or turning the ball over and throwing up bricks.
The Pelicans bench unit was low-key bad this season even though they do have some quality players in the second unit.
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The problem is that the second unit is full of spot up shooters like J.J. Redick and Nicolo Melli, but lacks a real playmaker.
Obviously both Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball will get run with the second team at times, but the unit needs someone who can consistently make plays, get others involved and beat people off the dribble for kick-outs to the open shooter.
Jackson did this at times, but was not nearly consistent enough, which is why he started racking up the DNP’s.
Jackson doesn’t shoot the ball particularly well, hitting just 32.5 percent from 3-point range, nor does he distribute it particularly well, averaging less than an assist per game in 12.9 minutes.
The New Orleans Pelicans need a lot more out of a backup point guard than 5.6 points, 1.4 rebounds and .8 assists, all numbers that went down in Jackson’s second year.
Even though he’d be a cheap option, there are plenty of veteran backup point guards who can do a better job of running the second unit, which would give the New Orleans Pelicans a chance to manage Holiday and Ball’s minutes more effectively.
The New Orleans Pelicans are a young team and need some veteran leadership, especially if Favors leaves in free agency.
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They should find a backup point guard who has the experience to run an offense so that the Pelicans aren’t constantly coughing up big leads like they have all season.
The New Orleans Pelicans will likely make the qualifying offer, but if another team beats it, they should let Jackson walk and look elsewhere.
Unless they shouldn’t.