Several media outlets have started publishing their first 2018 NBA mock drafts, so I guess it’s already that time of year.
With the bottom 8 teams in the NBA separated by just 3 games, the final 25 games of the season will go a long way in determining where the Bulls will draft. They are still in the running for a top 3 pick, and it would take terrible lottery luck to the push them out of the top 8-9 picks. Keep in mind they also control the Pelicans pick, which should fall somewhere in the 13-16 range. So at this point, there is a multitude of prospects that the Bulls could be in a position to draft.
One player that has been linked to the Bulls quite a bit is Michigan State center Jaren Jackson Jr.
There is a lot to like about Jackson’s game. He’s a 6’11, 242lb freshman that doesn’t turn 19 until September. He was a 5-star recruit, ranked as the 9th best prospect of his graduating class, and he has been a force for a title contending Michigan State squad.
He was listed as a power forward coming out of high school, but he starts at center for the Spartans and he’s excelled in his role, especially defensively.
One of Jackson’s most appealing traits is his 7’4 wingspan. At 6’11, he has a 9’1 standing reach, making him a force at the rim on both ends. By most accounts, he’s a good-not-great athlete, so he doesn’t stand out as much as some of the other top draft prospects do when you watch him on TV. That doesn’t mean he won’t be as good as his more athletic counterparts.
Along with great size and reach, his mobility, coordination and timing have allowed him to be a dominant defender and efficient scorer. He currently ranks 3rd in the country with 3.39 blocks per game. That’s a great number if he were averaging 35 minutes a game, but he only averages 22.6 mpg, which makes that number even more impressive. MSU is 7th in the nation in defensive efficiency, and Jackson is their anchor.
The video above shows Jackson is much more than just a space-clogging rim protector. He’s a dominant weakside help defender who can hold his own on the perimeter and plays the pick and roll masterfully. A big man with his defensive skill set is a rare, and highly valuable, commodity in today’s NBA. The Bulls have had more than their share of defensive woes this season, drafting Jackson could bring immediate improvement.
Jackson’s offensive game is plenty exciting as well. With three All-Conference caliber upper-classmen on his team, Jackson doesn’t get as many opportunities as most 5-star recruits. Yet, he still averages 11.6 points (12.9 in Big Ten play) on just 6.6 FGA per game (62.8 eFG%).
He makes 44.3% of his 3-pointers, which makes him a sexy fit for Fred Hoiberg’s offensive system. His form isn’t the most orthodox:
But his release is still pretty quick, which makes his shot reminiscent of Al Horford’s quirky but effective stroke.
His biggest offensive flaw is he doesn’t finish as well as you’d expect him to, given his size-speed-athleticism combination. When contact comes, he gets knocked off balance pretty easily, which causes him to take shots from awkward angles.
(video courtesy of Zach Harper:Fanrag Sports)
At just 18 years old, he should be able to grow into his body more overtime, which in turn should help him become more balanced. Also, in Hoiberg’s spread out offensive system, Jackson could find himself isolated 1-on-1 in the post more often. He’ll score more efficiently around the rim if he isn’t constantly having to muscle up shots over 2-3 defenders.
Final Verdict: Yay or Nay?
For me, the final verdict is a resounding yes. Jackson doesn’t look like the type of player a team can build around, but with the Markkanen-Dunn-Lavine trio already wearing red and white, Chicago feels like a place where he can maximize his talents and reach his potential as an impact starter. The biggest negative about Jackson’s performance this season is that he’s risen his draft stock so much, that he might not fall past the #3 pick of the draft.
I don’t think the Bulls would take him with the #1 pick, but they should strongly consider him if they’re drafting in the 3-5 range. If he’s still on the board for the Bulls at pick #6 or later, it would be hard for them to justify taking somebody else.
