Philadelphia 76ers: Locking in Demetrius Jackson is a great move
A day after signing Shake Milton, the Philadelphia 76ers have officially brought back Demetrius Jackson on a two-way contract for the 2018-2019 NBA season.
Well, that was quick.
Mere hours after we published a piece highlighting three players the Philadelphia 76ers should consider signing to a two-way contract, the team actually did it, officially locking in Summer League starting point guard Demetrius Jackson for the 2018-2019 season.
And frankly, it’s a great move.
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As we highlighted in the initial piece, Jackson is a solid player who could eventually fill T.J. McConnell‘s role when he inevitably leaves the team next summer on a very team friendly deal, but the team’s decision to keep Jackson around for another season has to be lauded for its foresight.
Unlike other contending teams who use the two-way contract to lock in cheap players for half a season and then cut them loose, the 76ers have opted to use both of their contracts on young, high upside former second-round picks who could conceivably continue to develop into potential role players with some extra seasoning.
Between Brett Brown‘s prowess as one of the best player developmental coaches in the league, and the amazing job the folks over at the recently rechristened Delaware Blue Coats are doing at getting the most out of their players (seriously, just ask Christian Wood and Furkan Korkmaz) Philly’s commitment to bringing along young players has to be commended.
It also just so happens to help the team long-term.
With a steady stream of young, ascending players available to replace role players on expiring contracts, as highlighted by the team’s decision to move on from Richaun Holmes, Justin Anderson, and TLC in favor of Jonah Bolden, Zhaire Smith, and Korkmaz, Coach Brown and the Sixers’ brass have quietly developed a player development incubator that could set the team up for success for years to come, especially if the team can continue to strike gold in the NBA fringes.
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Though Jackson may not see the court much in 2018-2019, this move could pay major dividends for the team moving forward, and continue to keep the Philadelphia 76ers backcourt potent moving forward.