Quenton Jackson Making His Case for a Standard Contract with the Pacers
For much of this season, there’s been a quiet but growing buzz around Quenton Jackson - and it’s not just coming from fans. The 27-year-old guard has been making the most of his opportunities with the Indiana Pacers, and now, with a roster spot open and his play peaking at just the right time, the conversation around upgrading his two-way deal to a standard NBA contract is getting very real.
Pacers GM Chad Buchanan recently acknowledged what many around the team have already seen: Jackson isn’t just filling a role - he’s helping shape the culture.
“Quenton’s been awesome,” Buchanan said. “He was fantastic last night, and he’s a big part of our culture in our locker room.
He’s got such a good energy to him. He’s got a toughness about him, never complains about anything.”
That blend of on-court production and locker room presence matters, especially for a team trying to build sustainable success. The Pacers are mindful of the luxury tax, but Buchanan made it clear they’re strongly considering making a move, saying Jackson is “definitely a real possibility” to fill the team’s final roster spot.
And the numbers back it up.
Through 26 games this season - including 10 starts - Jackson has averaged 8.3 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists while shooting a highly efficient 48% from the field and 40.7% from three. But it’s his recent surge that’s really turned heads.
In the three games before the All-Star break, he put up 17.3 points, 3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Even more impressive?
He shot 66.7% from the field and 58.3% from deep during that stretch.
That’s not just solid - that’s impact basketball.
Take his performance against the New York Knicks on February 10. Jackson dropped 19 points on 5-of-7 shooting, leading the Pacers to a 137-134 overtime win.
He scored a game-high seven points in the extra period, showing poise and confidence in a pressure-packed moment. That’s the kind of stuff coaches notice - and Rick Carlisle certainly did.
“He’s played well all year in every different role you can be in,” Carlisle said. “He’s been a third-stringer.
He’s been a G Leaguer on a two-way. He’s been a starter.
I mean, if it wasn’t for him, I don’t know if we would've ever won a game at the beginning of the season. ... He’s been great.”
That versatility is no small thing. Jackson has shown he can adapt to whatever role the Pacers need - whether it’s coming off the bench to inject energy, starting in a pinch, or closing out tight games.
On the floor, his game is built on athleticism and effort. He’s disruptive on defense, gets out in transition with speed, and finishes strong at the rim. And while his athletic tools have always been there, his shooting has taken a leap this season - a key development that’s made him a more complete offensive threat.
Jackson isn’t trying to be the star. He’s not out there chasing the spotlight. But what he is doing is exactly what every good team needs: playing hard, playing smart, and making winning plays.
He’s earned the trust of his coaches, the respect of his teammates, and the attention of the front office. And now, with the Pacers holding an open roster spot and Jackson continuing to deliver, it feels like only a matter of time before that two-way deal turns into something more permanent.
For Indiana, it’s not just about rewarding a player who’s done everything right - it’s about recognizing a piece that fits. And right now, Quenton Jackson is fitting in just fine.