Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

NBA Draft prospects to watch for the Orlando Magic: Christmas Edition

By Ricky Scricca

TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 09: Collin Sexton #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide passes the ball around Allonzo Trier #35 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the college basketball game at McKale Center on December 9, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Crimson Tide 88-82. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 09: Collin Sexton #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide passes the ball around Allonzo Trier #35 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the college basketball game at McKale Center on December 9, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Crimson Tide 88-82. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 7
Next

Jaren Jackson, Michigan State

For all the NBA’s unique, versatile big men, the true two-way big is exceedingly rare. Only a few centers are legitimate 3-point shooting threats while also being viable rim protectors. Kristaps Porzingis, Serge Ibaka and Myles Turner come to mind. But after that, most of the league’s big men are one or the other.

There are a few players in this draft who could join them. DeAndre Ayton and Mohamed Bamba certainly could.

But outside of the projected top five, only Jaren Jackson Jr. has distinct two-way potential at center as both a shooter and shot-blocker.

Jackson is best finishing out of the pick and roll. He is not exactly a knock-down shooter. He is at 31 percent right now on 29 NCAA attempts and 36 percent for his career on 118 total attempts. His 83 percent free throw shooting is a positive indicator. But chances are he will not exactly be Klay Thompson out there.

But if he is willing to shoot and can make threes at least a 33-34 percent clip, defenses will have to play him differently in transition, off the ball and in pick and rolls, which can help open up his game and help the rest of the offense.

He has put up impressive shot-blocking numbers (3.1 per game right now) but still can make some improvements on the defensive end, particularly with his rebounding.

Magic fans certainly recognize the importance of boxing out and denying second-chance points. It does not matter how many misses you force if your opponent can get the ball right back anyway. Jackson needs to make strides here.

His versatility defending on switches and fluid athleticism in the open court or as a lob target should make him a tantalizing target for every team drafting in the high or mid-lottery. He has elite lateral mobility, which, as he adapts to the nuances of NBA defense, should make it easy for him to close out, defend in space, play help defense and in excel in multiple pick-and-roll coverages.

If he fulfills his potential he could be everything you could reasonably want in a modern center. But the Magic already have a clogged center rotation, so unless there is a trade it would be hard for Jackson to find minutes with this team.

But still, the Magic need a modern big. Jackson is the most qualified candidate likely to be available when it is Orlando’s turn.