Pacers Secure Jalen Jackson with New Three-Year, $21 Million Deal

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers have signed Jalen Jackson to a new three-year contract worth $21 million, league sources confirmed to IndyStar on Friday. ESPN‘s Shams Charania first reported the agreement.

Jackson’s previous rookie-scale contract ended after the last season. The Pacers extended a qualifying offer to him before the June 30 deadline, keeping him as a restricted free agent. Retaining Jackson is important for the Pacers, who made strides in player acquisition during the signing period.

Standing at 6 feet 9 inches and weighing 205 pounds, Jackson played only five games this past season due to an Achilles tendon tear in his right leg sustained during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 1. Before the injury, he averaged 7.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 60.9% from the field.

In the 2023-24 season, Jackson competed with Jalen Smith for the backup center position, averaging 6.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks over 13.1 minutes per game. He led the team with a 66.5% shooting percentage. His per-36 minute statistics — 17.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks — rank among the best on the team.

When healthy, Jackson has been recognized as one of the Pacers’ most effective rim-runners, lob finishers, and a source of energy off the bench. Sources indicate he has added weight during his rehabilitation, which could alter his gameplay moving forward.