By R.L. Bynum
Justin Jackson is going back to the Dallas Mavericks, the team that traded him to Oklahoma City two years ago.
The Mavericks have signed the 6–8, 220 pound Jackson, and will likely send him to their G-League team, the Texas Legends, which play home games in Frisco, Texas. The Houston-area native played 29 games for Dallas in 2019.
Dallas originally acquired Jackson on Feb. 6, 2019, along with Zach Randolph, from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Harrison Barnes. On Nov. 27, 2020, Dallas dealt Jackson, Trevor Ariza and a 2023 second-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick to the Thunder in a three-team trade involving the Detroit Pistons.
The Thunder waived Jackson on April 5. He signed a two-way deal with the Milwaukee Bucks on April 21, and won an NBA title last season as a reserve.
Jackson played 34 regular-season games last season (one with the Bucks), averaging 7.2 points and 17 minutes per game. He played in five playoff games for Milwaukee.
His best game last season was for the Thunder against the Bucks on Feb. 14 when he scored 22 points two days after scoring 20 against Denver.
Jackson was an ACC Player of the Year for Carolina in 2019, when he led the Tar Heels to the NCAA title.
The Portland Trail Blazers made him the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft and dealt him on draft day to the Sacramento Kings.
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