Justin Jackson to sign with Suns, Theo Pinson re-ups with Mavericks

A pair of former UNC basketball players are signing 10-day contracts in the NBA.

Justin Jackson’s 10-day contract with the Boston Celtics was expiring at the same time he got out of the NBA’s health and safety protocols on Thursday, but he’s reportedly joining the Phoenix Suns on a new 10-day contract.

Jackson played just one minute in one game with the Celtics, but the Suns have been plagued with a number of positive COVID-19 tests — Deandre Ayton and forward Jae Crowder among them — forcing them to seek assistance from a handful of players in the NBA G-League. Now, Jackson joins another former Tar Heel, Cameron Johnson, who has recently been playing in the Suns’ starting lineup with Crowder out for the time being.

Coincidentally, Jackson’s former team, the Celtics, welcomed the Suns to town on Friday afternoon, so he didn’t have to make a trip to join the team. The Suns lost to the Celtics despite 20 points, five rebounds and two steals from Johnson.

Theo Pinson’s previous 10-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks expired on Thursday, and he quickly re-upped with the team on a new 10-day contract on Friday.

Pinson has only played 13 minutes with the Mavericks over his past two games, but he was a difference-maker in the three before that. He had seven points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the two games that followed, Pinson finished with nine points and four rebounds and nine points and five rebounds, respectively.

With his athleticism and energy, Pinson becomes an integral bench player no matter where he goes. He’s universally loved by coaches and teammates and is willing to fill whatever role is asked of him.

Check back with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on UNC basketball alumni throughout the NBA.