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2018 NBA Draft Prospect Report Part 5: Jaren Jackson Jr.

By Ricky Scricca

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 13: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket during a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 13: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket during a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Analyzing Fit

Let’s get one thing out of the way. The Orlando Magic sorely need some level of efficient shot creation and drafting Jackson would not fill that need.

Drafting Jackson would be doubling down on a defensive identity while still leaving room to add a ball-dominant player and fitting with Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon on both ends.

A frontcourt with Gordon, Isaac and Jackson would be able to switch all five positions while offering weakside rim protection ability from multiple areas. Isaac and Jackson are both high-motor players who could help improve the team’s defensive culture. If that trio can hit their primes together, it will be very difficult for anyone to score on that team.

The offensive fit is a little less exciting, but it still makes a lot more sense than the fits with Missouri forward Michael Porter or Duke forward Marvin Bagley. The Isaac and Gordon duo clearly need to play with a stretch five due to their shooting limitations. Jackson can provide that without sacrificing anything defensively.

There will still be no clear source for off-the-bounce creation, which is a reasonable cause for concern. That need can be temporarily patched up in free agency. But the long-term solution would still be very much in flux.

As Magic fans have witnessed this season, lacking a steady scoring or creation option can lead to players being forced into roles they are unsuited to fill. That can lead to ugly offense and bad habits developing.

Whether the Jackson fit for the Magic is appealing might depend on the direction you think the team should take.

If you want the team to double down on defense, Jackson makes as much sense as anyone else in this year’s class. But if you think the need for a long-term creation option is simply too great to ignore in yet another draft, then Oklahoma Sooners guard Trae Young (or Sloevnian guard Luka Doncic of course, if he’s available) might be more attractive.

One could also argue that for this team, intangibles are an even bigger need than creation.

Next: Orlando Magic Daily Podcast: Preparing for the future

Jackson is always fully engaged, an intense competitor and a hard worker to boot. The Magic need to be seeking players like him out if the culture is to improve.