Pelicans Trade Pierre Jackson for Russ Smith

Last year's draft-day move with Philadelphia came full circle today, with Pierre Jackson -- last year's 42nd overall pick -- traded to the Sixers for Louisville's Russ Smith.

It's an interesting move; New Orleans opted never to sign Pierre Jackson, stashing him both internationally and in the D-League, where he averaged 29 points and 6 assists, including a 58 point/8 assist outburst in February. Jackson played in 7 games for Fenerbahce after leaving the D-League, averaging 3.3 points and 1.3 assists.

Jackson was undersized of course, at 5'10" and 180 pounds, but Russ Smith isn't that much larger, at 6'1" and 160 pounds. Smith's steals rate is his big calling card, as he posted better collegiate pace-adjusted steals numbers than 97% of all point guards that have entered the league in the last 13 years. Smith also excelled at getting to the free throw line although he turned the ball over a fair bit.

It's probably also worth mentioning that Smith was one of Draft Express' personal favorites in the 2014 draft class.

Overall? I'm disappointed that New Orleans never gave Jackson even a trial run, but Smith's a guy I like on this team.