Pacers Guarantee Quenton Jackson’s Contract for 2025‑26
Contract Details and Financial Impact
Indianapolis has fully guaranteed guard Quenton Jackson’s deal for the upcoming season, locking in a salary just over $2.58 million for his first full NBA contract. Had the team elected to waive him before the deadline, Jackson would have earned only $275,000, and the Pacers could have freed up cap space to chase other options. By securing the guarantee, Indiana signals its confidence in the undersized but high‑energy guard, while also protecting its roster from an unexpected hole.
Jackson’s Path to the NBA
The Los Angeles native built his résumé on the prep and junior‑college circuits before shining at Texas A&M, where he earned All‑SEC honors in 2021‑22 after gaining a COVID‑era eligibility extension. Undrafted out of college, he signed with the Wizards and later moved through the Capital City Go‑Go on a two‑way deal before landing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Bulls. A two‑way pact with the Pacers in March 2024 marked his entry into Indiana’s system, setting the stage for his breakout moments later that fall.
2024‑25 and 2025‑26 Contributions
Jackson saw limited action in his rookie season, appearing in three games, but emerged as a rotational guard in 2024‑25 with 28 appearances and seven starts. His first NBA starts came in November when the Pacers were hit by injuries, and he finished the year averaging 8.0 points, 3.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds. In the injury‑riddled 2025‑26 campaign he played 49 games, started 19 times, and posted averages of 9.1 points, 2.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds per contest before his two‑way deal converted to a standard contract on February 28.
What the Guarantee Means for the Pacers
The pledge to keep Jackson guarantees Indiana a reliable backcourt option at both guard spots, adding depth to a roster that has been thin in secondary scoring. With 14 contracts already in place and only one standard deal left open, the team sits about $2.2 million short of the first luxury‑tax apron, a shortfall created when Kelly Oubre Jr. was signed using the non‑taxpayer mid‑level exception. Retaining Jackson means the Pacers won’t have to absorb a costly buyout or lose valuable cap space, even as they continue to juggle payroll constraints.
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Reggie Miller (left) and Rik Smits of the Indiana Pacers
(Steve Healey/IndyStar photos)
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Reggie Miller (left) and Rik Smits of the Indiana Pacers
(Steve Healey/IndyStar photos)
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Reggie Miller scored 25,279 points for the Indiana Pacers from 1987-2005, leading them to the 2000 NBA Finals and earning a spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Here is playing the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 8, 2000. He also leads the franchise in assists (4,141) steals (1,505) and 3-pointers (2,560).
(Steve Healey/IndyStar)
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Rik Smits scored 12,871 points and had 5,277 rebounds for the Indiana Pacers from 1988-2000. He played for the Pacers’ NBA Finals team in 2000.
(Steve Healey/IndyStar)
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Billy Knight scored 10,780 points in two stints with the Indiana Pacers (1974-77 in the ABA and NBA; 1979-83). He was an All-Star in both the ABA and NBA for the Pacers.
(IndyStar file photo)
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Roger Brown scored 10,058 points for the Indiana Pacers from 1967-75. He was part of three ABA championship teams and is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
(IndyStar file)
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Jermaine O’Neal scored 9,580 points and 4,933 rebounds for the Indiana Pacers from 2000-08. He was a 6‑time NBA All-Star and the 2002 NBA Most Improved Player.
(Matt Dial/IndyStar)
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Danny Granger scored 9,571 points for the Indiana Pacers from 2005-14. He was the NBA Most Improved Player in 2009, a year in which he also earned All‑Star honors. He is pictured on Dec. 20, 2013.
(Rob Goebel/IndyStar)
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Geroge McGinnis scored 9,545 points and had 5,219 rebounds for the Indiana Pacers in two stints (1971-75 in the ABA; 1980-82 in the NBA). He was an ABA MVP, won two ABA championships and made two ABA All‑Star teams. He is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Here he drives on Swen Nater of San Diego in 1981.
(Jeff Atteberry/IndyStar)
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Vern Fleming scored 9,535 points, 4,038 assists and 5 triple‑doubles for the Indiana Pacers from 1984-95. He drives around Washington’s Jeff Malone on March 31, 1985.
(Rob Goebel/IndyStar)
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Mel Daniels scored 9,314 points and had a franchise‑record 7,643 rebounds for the Indiana Pacers from 1969-74. He was a two‑time ABA MVP and won three league championships. He is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Pictured on Jan. 2, 1970.
(Jim Young/IndyStar)
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Freddie Lewis had 9,257 points and 2,270 assists for the Indiana Pacers from 1967-74 in the ABA, and in 1976-77 in the NBA. He was a three‑time ABA All‑Star and part of three championship teams. He is pictured on Feb. 9, 1970.
(Jim Young/IndyStar)
In 2025‑26, the Pacers were plagued by injuries throughout the season, and Jackson played 49 games, starting 19. He averaged 9.1 points, 2.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds per contest, showcasing his role as a reliable secondary scorer and playmaker. His two‑way contract was upgraded to a standard NBA deal on February 28, cementing his place on the roster for the long term.
With the guarantee, Indiana secures a versatile guard who can fill multiple roles without draining the financial flexibility needed to remain under the first apron, where they sit roughly $2.2 million short after signing Kelly Oubre Jr. via the non‑taxpayer mid‑level exception. Fans can expect Jackson to remain a key piece in the backcourt mix as the franchise looks to navigate both injury challenges and cap constraints moving forward.
Content Credit: This article was originally published on sports.yahoo.com.
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