Patrick Causey, on Twitter @PhillySportsPMC
The Philadelphia 76ers have signed guard Pierre Jackson to a four-year, partially guaranteed contract. Jackson first broke the news on his Twitter and Instagram accounts:
officially a sixer………. #THEYSLEEP https://t.co/CzYENJTPE8
— Pierre Jackson (@PAPPYGAWD) July 15, 2015
Jackson's agent, Colin Bryant, confirmed that Jackson had signed with the Sixers. Via Chris Haynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
Free agent guard Pierre Jackson signed a four-year, partially guaranteed deal with Sixers, his agent Colin Bryant says.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 15, 2015
Jackson had a successful college career at Baylor, where he played two seasons. In 2012, the Bears lost to eventual champion Kentucky Wildcats, lead by Anthony Davis in the Elite Eight. The following season did not go as well as Jackson had hoped, with the Bears failing to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. However, they won the NIT tournament, and Jackson led the Big 12 with 19.8 points per game and 7.1 assists per game.
Jackson, the 5'10 176 lb point guard, played at Baylor and was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft. Jackson was immediately traded by the Sixers to the New Orlean Pelicans in the blockbuster deal that landed Nerlens Noel in Philly and Jrue Holiday in New Orleans.
From there, Jackson had stints in France, the NBDL, and Turkey, before his rights were traded back to the Sixers in a draft night trade last year. When things finally looked like he was going to get his shot, Jackson ruptured his achilles tendon in the first summer league game.
Nevertheless, Jackson is fully recovered from his injury and after turning in some impressive performances during summer league, the Sixers moved quickly to sign him to a four-year deal.
It's no secret that the Sixers desperately need scorers and point guards. Per Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Sixers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce, Jackson is a legitimate NBA scorer: ""His NBA talent and skill is that he can put the ball in the basket…It doesn't matter if you've got a 7-footer guarding him or a 6-foot guy. With his quickness and his shiftiness, he can get his shot off anywhere, anyhow, and he's done it on different levels."
Interest in Norris Cole?
According to Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops.com, the Philadelphia 76ers have expressed interest in Pelicans restricted free agent Norris Cole:
Philadelphia 76ers have expressed interest in New Orleans Pelicans restricted free agent Norris Cole, a league source tells Sheridan Hoops.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 14, 2015
Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer asked Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie about the report, who refused to make comment: "We won't comment on it…We won't comment on potential free agents. Sorry."
The 28-year old point guard was acquired by the Pelicans in a trade with the Miami Heat. Cole averaged 9.9 points and 3.2 assists.
Along with recently acquired Jason Thompson and Carl Landry, Cole could serve as a solid veteran presence on the young Sixers squad, as he won two championships with the Miami Heat. While the Cleveland State product is known as a solid defender and good teammate, and would instantly become the teams best option at the point.
