While neither Theo Pinson nor Justin Jackson did much stats-wise in the NBA last season, both 2016-17 UNC basketball national champs have seen at least some action in the NBA every year since playing for the Tar Heels. This year, though, they're set to begin in the G League as teammates for the Dallas Mavericks' affiliate, the Texas Legends.
The Legends announced earlier this week that they traded for Pinson's returning player rights from the Maine Celtics.
As Dallas Basketball's Michael Mulford noted, the 27-year-old recent Mavericks wing (2021-23), who has averaged 2.7 points and 1.4 rebounds across 127 NBA games in his career, could end up on the Dallas roster before long:
"Pinson isn't expected to be a factor for the Mavs this season, but given his desire to stay near the team, and that head coach Jason Kidd seems to like him quite a bit, perhaps he finds himself onto the Mavs' 15-man roster again at some point if a big trade happens that opens up extra roster spots."
Meanwhile, the 28-year-old Jackson played 28 games for the Legends in 2021-22 and returned to them last season, playing 14 more games, after getting waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder in February.
Jackson has averaged 6.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per game as a pro since going No. 15 overall at the 2017 NBA Draft following his three years in the UNC basketball program.
Theo Pinson, Justin Jackson, and the Texas Legends tip off their 2023-24 campaign on Nov. 10.
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