Pelicans, D-League star Pierre Jackson still lack deal

• Development League star Pierre Jackson wants to be in NBA but has no deal with New Orleans Pelicans
• Jackson was drafted 42nd overall last summer by Pelicans%2C so they would have to trade or release him
• Former Baylor standout has averaged 29.9 points per game for Idaho Stampede this season

Guard Pierre Jackson, the rookie sensation of the NBA Development League, has been unable to reach a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, who hold his rights after drafting him 42nd overall last year.

Shortly before Pelians point guard Jrue Holiday was ruled out indefinitely with a stress fracture in his right tibia on Jan. 10, representatives for Jackson requested and received permission to explore trade opportunities. Jackson's agents, who also represent Holiday, met with Pelicans general manager Dell Demps this week, but Jackson still doesn't have a contract with the Pelicans.

"I'm disappointed the Pelicans have decided not to call up Pierre," Jackson's agent, Colin Bryant, told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. "He has proved he is ready for the NBA and deserves a call-up."

For the time being, New Orleans has decided to stick with the guards it has. New Orleans, also without sharp-shooting forward Ryan Anderson, has lost six consecutive games, is 1-7 in last its last eight and 4-12 since beating Memphis on Dec. 13.

"While we hope they reconsider their decision, we will continue to explore other options," Bryant said.

Jackson is the D-League's second-leading scorer at 29.9 points per game and has scored at least 40 points four times for the Idaho Stampede, including a season-high 49 points on Dec. 14 against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Jackson is a 5-10 guard capable of scoring and passing. He is shooting 45.3% from the field and 37.3% on three-pointers and is averaging 5.1 assists a game in the D-League.

Jackson played for the Pelicans at the 2013 Summer League in Las Vegas, but New Orleans had a full backcourt with Holiday, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans, Brian Roberts, Austin Rivers and Anthony Morrow. At the time, there wasn't room for Jackson.

In August, Jackson signed a contract with French club ASVEL Villeurbanne, of which San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker owns 20%. Jackson never played a game for Asvel and left to be closer to his ailing grandmother in Las Vegas.

"The original plan for Pierre was to play in Europe and develop for a year," Bryant said. "Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, he returned to the U.S. He joined the Idaho Stampede and has become the D-League's top prospect. We believe his game advanced much quicker than the Pelicans expected."

The Sixers selected Jackson then traded him to New Orleans in the deal that sent point guard Jrue Holiday to New Orleans and first-round pick Nerlens Noel to Philadelphia.