New Orleans Pelicans: 3 candidates for a breakout season in 2018-19
3. Frank Jackson
After a broken foot prevented him from stepping on the court during his first season in the league, point guard Frank Jackson is one of the aforementioned young players that could break out if he earns a significant role in the rotation and can stay on the floor.
With Jrue Holiday sliding over to the 2-guard position, the Pelicans’ point guard rotation isn’t brimming with a lot of quality depth. While Holiday can easily slide back to the 1 to run the offense from time to time, that would put even more pressure on the Pelicans’ already thin wing depth, making it more likely the team relies on Payton and Jackson to run the show at the point.
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This bodes well for a potential breakout season from Jackson, the 31st overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft from Duke. In his one season with the Blue Devils, Jackson averaged a modest 11 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, but did connect on 39.5 percent of his 3-pointers.
In his brief stint at NBA Summer League this year, Jackson showcased some explosiveness and athleticism that could really shine in the Pelicans’ up-tempo system, as he looks to push it in transition and generate easy, early offense. If he can continue to shoot well from beyond the arc, Jackson’s game seems to fit like a glove in the Pelicans’ offense, making him an easy choice to man the backup point guard duties.
If injuries occur or Jackson impresses early in the season, a larger role would only provide him more opportunities to prove why he was nearly a first round draft pick just over a year ago. With the Pelicans’ up-tempo system propelling him, Jackson could be on his way to a breakout rookie season in New Orleans, adding another dynamic young talent to the team’s core.