2013 NBA Summer League: Pierre Jackson Will Make Debut Sunday with New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans stole a lot of headlines on the night of the 2013 NBA Draft when they executed one of the biggest draft-night trades in recent memory. After selecting the projected number one overall pick, Nerlens Noel, after he fell all the way to New Orleans with the sixth pick, they quickly flipped him along with a future draft pick in exchange for Philadelphia 76ers All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday and the Sixers’ second-round pick.

Though acquiring Holiday was the big story from that trade, the Pelicans also were able to land another point guard, Pierre Jackson out of Baylor, with that second-round pick from the trade.

Though Jackson is a rookie, the trade wasn’t made official until Saturday. Subsequently, Jackson wasn’t able to play with New Orleans in their first game at the Las Vegas NBA Summer League on Friday night. Now that the trade is complete, though, Jackson will be able to make his debut with the Pelicans on Sunday.

Jackson played two years at a junior college before taking his talents to Baylor for his final two collegiate seasons. After helping lead the Bears to a wildly successfully season in his junior year, he was the go-to guy in his senior season last year. Jackson played 34.8 minutes per game and averaged 19.8 points, 7.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 42.7 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from long-range.

The biggest knock on Jackson as he was being evaluated before the draft is his size. He measured just 5’9.5” without shoes on, though he is a stout 176 pounds for his size. However, Jackson has the ability to knock down shots and can create for his teammates off of dribble-penetration.

Jackson’s size may prove a bit problematic as he gets acclimated to the NBA game, but expect him to impress some people at Summer League. In all actuality, it’s not crazy to think that Jackson could wind up as Holiday’s primary backup next season. Sunday will be the first chance to see how likely of a possibility that is.

Cody Williams is a Senior Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20, add him on Google+ and like his Facebook page.