New Orleans Pelicans: 3 Reasons to Re-Sign Frank Jackson

The New Orleans Pelicans should re-sign Frank Jackson, as there isn’t much else.

A Weak Crop of Free Agents

Let’s start with the pertinent details:

Frank Jackson is 22-years-old and made just over $1.6 million for the season. His qualifying offer for next season is $2.02 million, but it’s almost certain some other team will beat that.

How much more another team offers will matter a lot, as the Pelicans aren’t going to break the bank for Jackson, but if his next contract is in that range, say 3 years, $10 million, then they should match it.

If you take a look at the guys who are in Jackson’s Q.O. range, you’ll find players like Ben McLemore, Edmond Sumner and Anfernee Simons. I’d take Frank Jackson over any of them.

There also aren’t a whole lot of veteran free agents out there who the Pels could realistically afford. Guys like Goran Dragic or even D.J. Augustin will probably cost far more than the Pelicans can pay for a backup.

If you look at the list of unrestricted free agent guards, it is hardly inspiring and most of the good players are well out of the Pels’ range.

They simply may not have a better option than a 22-year-old up and coming player who has a high I.Q. and has shown signs of improvement.

The Pelicans could still go the trade route of course, but they’d have to dip into their coffers for picks or give up a player to do it, while Frank Jackson will cost them nothing but money.

I don’t know if Jackson is ready for full-time backup duties, but he’s got me intrigued and can be a valuable contributor to the Pelicans, even as a third guard off the bench.

The New Orleans Pelicans have one offseason question that they can answer with Frank Jackson.