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Philadelphia 76ers Waive Guard Pierre Jackson

By Jake Hyman

Oct 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Pierre Jackson (55) drives past Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Pierre Jackson (55) drives past Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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With 20 players on the roster heading into the start of the regular season Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers had to make five roster cuts. Point guard Pierre Jackson was a casualty of the bulk of talent Monday, as first reported by Tom Moore of Calkins Media.

The Sixers drafted Jackson in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft and traded him to New Orleans as part of the Nerlens Noel deal. After tearing up the D-League with the Idaho Stampede in the 2013-14 season — averaging just over 29.1 PPG and nearly shooting 45 percent from the floor — Philadelphia added Jackson back into the fold by trading for him during the 2014 NBA Draft.

Eager to make an impact after an impressive stint in the developmental rank, Jackson tore his Achilles after just one NBA Summer League game for Philadelphia and missed the entire 2014-15 season.

The 76ers unselfishly paid for Jackson’s surgery and signed him to a one-year deal with a belief in his ability to recover and produce next season. He was placed on waivers before the start of the 2014-15 season, but wasn’t claimed and Philadelphia retained his rights.

After only shooting 31.8 percent from the floor in the Las Vegas Summer League, Jackson failed to impress and stand out in a crowded point guard rotation. Only going 1-for-14 from the floor and averaging just 2.0 PPG in three preseason games, the writing was on the wall for the 5’10”, 180-pound lead guard.

Whether it be the nagging groin injury that forced the diminutive point guard to miss the first two preseason games or the lack of production, Jackson will have to convince other organizations that his recent ineptitude is an anomaly going forward in his career.

A promising and moving story, coming back from a career-altering injury to play in the NBA, Jackson is on the market and presents teams with a spark plug willing to compete. He’s hoping they wake up and offer him a contract, but for now, they sleep.

Next: NBA Power Rankings: Opening Week

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