Jaren Jackson Jr. has risen from late-lottery prospect to the second or third best player in the 2018 NBA Draft. What would he look like on the Orlando Magic?
The definition of “unicorn” in NBA parlance has changed frequently since Kevin Durant used the term to describe Kristaps Porzingis two years ago. Is the long-limbed Giannis Antetokounmpo a “unicorn?” He is unique, but Durant used it to reference Porzingis’s almost unparalleled ability to protect the rim and consistently knock down threes.
For all the NBA big men expanding their offensive games out beyond the arc, few aside from Porzingis are balancing that with elite defensive contributions. Joel Embiid might be one, but 32.7 percent shooting is hardly elite. Myles Turner, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol might have cases as well. But Ibaka and Gasol have declined sharply while Turner’s defense is more blocks than consistent value.
That leads to the introduction of the next potential mythical creature. Michigan State Spartans forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jackson shot 40 percent from three and 80 percent from the free throw line in his lone season in East Lansing. His peripheral shooting indicators predict him to shoot 37.6 percent in the NBA. He has made 44.8 percent of 58 attempts from NBA range this season.
He is also arguably the best defensive prospect in this class, albeit with a lower ceiling than physical outlier Texas Longhorns center Mohamed Bamba and his 7-foot-9 wingspan.
Jackson is a unicorn in the word’s original meaning. He is a highly mobile center with an intense approach to the game, defensive awareness that belies his age and plus versatility. His areas for improvement lie on the offensive end. But he has clear avenues to be an exceedingly valuable contributor there.
In ESPN’s most recent mock draft, the Atlanta Hawks take Jackson third overall, just one slot before the Orlando Magic. But if he does end up available when the Magic are on the clock, the allure of adding his elite motor and unique set of skills into a frontcourt with Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon will be difficult to resist.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the film and numbers behind Jackson’s productivity.