Callup #5: Luke Jackson to the LA Clippers

Luke Jackson will be the 5th D-League player called up to the NBA this season, according to sources from his team, the Idaho Stampede, reports DraftExpress correspondent Jim Hlavac. Jackson will join the Los Angeles Clippers after a short six game stint in the D-League, in which he averaged 12.5 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.3 rebounds in 31 minutes per game. Jackson shot an outstanding 53% the field and 58% from behind the arc. Sources close to the situation tell us he will sign a 10-day contract and meet the Clippers in Oklahoma City for their away game on Monday.

Jackson's callup is the 5th the D-League has seen since Kelenna Azubuike became the first on January 2nd.

Jackson was drafted 10th overall in 2004 by the Cleveland Cavaliers after a stellar college career at Oregon, but was not able to significantly crack his team’s rotation due to injuries and other issues, including back problems that required surgery. He was traded over the offseason to the Boston Celtics, but was waived during training camp. He just recently turned 25 years old.

The Clippers are currently suffering from numerous injuries on the perimeter, as Corey Maggette (ankle), Cuttino Mobley (elbow) and Sam Cassell (heel) are all day-to-day at the moment. Los Angeles is also one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA at just 31.1%, an area that Jackson can help them out greatly in if he can get off the bench. The Clippers lost Saturday to the Atlanta Hawks by 12 points, and were forced to play Tim Thomas 44 minutes at the small forward position. Thomas was the only player on the team to attempt a 3-pointer all night, knocking down 3 of 9 from behind the arc.

The Clippers had an opportunity to sign their 2006 second round draft pick Guillermo Diaz after he decided not to return to his team from the Czech Republic, Nymburk, following his Christmas vacation, but apparently declined.