Jaren Jackson Jr.

[Mulhollanddrive]

That could be a dual unicorn front court they'd find a way to make it work one could put on more size and the other stay mobile.

[The-Power]

Can he guard small ball 4s and stretch 4s. Wondering what the fit would be like if the Knicks slid KP to the 5 (his ideal position imo) and slotted JJJr in as the 4.

KP's weaknesses are rebounding, guarding stretch 4's and being a force down low. Would JJJr complement KP and the Knicks?

I don't particularly like his fit with Porzingis but with his versatility, Jackson would make it work with any player.

To your questions:

- Yes, he can guard stretch-4's and should be able to guard most small-ball 4's effectively although he'll have to learn to play without fouling and I wouldn't want him matched-up against SFs on defense all game long.
- Rebounding is an area where Jackson will be solid but he doesn't project to be a dominant rebounder as of now, so it'd remain to be seen whether this is enough next to KP.
- Jackson is not a force down low. He's energetic, long, has some strong moves and a decent touch which should be enough to explot mismatches near the rim. But ultimately he'll probably be most valuable as a stretch-4 with situational inside plays on offense.

[Ruzious]

Interesting that the last 2 games he's gotten to the line 10 plus times, and he's a guy who only shoots 6 FGA's a game. Are they playing him some at the 3? He is playing on maybe the biggest front court in college basketball, and I think that affects the way he's been used - and knocked down his rebound numbers.

[yoyoboy]

I think he, Trae Young, Doncic, Ayton, and Mikal Bridges are my favorite prospects in the draft. I just love their games.

JJJ is a perfect modern big. As a Cavs fan, watching him play is so refreshing. A dude who actually protects the rim? Can switch on defense? Sets good screens? Has serious length? All while being able to shoot from the outside (we have Love, but he lacks all the other things; this one applies to Thompson). It'd be so nice to have him on our team.

[OrlChamps2030]

Any highlights from his game against Illinois?

[doordoor123]

Any highlights from his game against Illinois?

I posted some in the underrated/overrated thread

[The-Power]

In conference play and per 100 possessions Jackson is now averaging more points than Bagley (35.8 to 33.7), on higher TS% than Ayton (75.9 to 67.6), and more blocks than Bamba (9.7 to 8.2).

Of course he also clearly averages the most fouls preventing him from actually playing as much as the other guys (only 24.5 MPG compared to 32-35 MPG for the other three big men) but he's been amazing recently. Not only his averages but also some of the plays he's made have been incredible.

I'm curious when – or if – more people will start looking at him as a legitimate top 3 pick.

[Ruzious]

In conference play and per 100 possessions Jackson is now averaging more points than Bagley (35.8 to 33.7), on higher TS% than Ayton (75.9 to 67.6), and more blocks than Bamba (9.7 to 8.2).

Of course he also clearly averages the most fouls preventing him from actually playing as much as the other guys (only 24.5 MPG compared to 32-35 MPG for the other three big men) but he's been amazing recently. Not only his averages but also some of the plays he's made have been incredible.

I'm curious when – or if – more people will start looking at him as a legitimate top 3 pick.

Those are some amazing stats. I'm starting to think he'll be in the conversation for 1st pick - particularly if he reduces the fouling problem. Big Ten officiating isn't the most consistent. Sometimes they allow everything, and sometimes they call the smallest touch fouls.

[The-Power]

In conference play and per 100 possessions Jackson is now averaging more points than Bagley (35.8 to 33.7), on higher TS% than Ayton (75.9 to 67.6), and more blocks than Bamba (9.7 to 8.2).

Of course he also clearly averages the most fouls preventing him from actually playing as much as the other guys (only 24.5 MPG compared to 32-35 MPG for the other three big men) but he's been amazing recently. Not only his averages but also some of the plays he's made have been incredible.

I'm curious when – or if – more people will start looking at him as a legitimate top 3 pick.

Those are some amazing stats. I'm starting to think he'll be in the conversation for 1st pick - particularly if he reduces the fouling problem. Big Ten officiating isn't the most consistent. Sometimes they allow everything, and sometimes they call the smallest touch fouls.

I think it's too late for him to be in the #1 conversation when it comes to actual draft talk. Doncic, Ayton, Bagley and recently Young – they all had and have so much hype – dating back to last season and before for some – that this hype will be tough to replicate for Jackson. He's more likely to continue to be talked as a sleeper top 5 pick until the end of the year unless he totally destroys teams in March.

On this and other boards, and some draft sites who obviously do not have to actually pick plays with their jobs being at stake, this can look a little different, of course. I doubt that he'll be recognized as a potential first pick by the majority but some loud minority might develop. I have Doncic ranked first and it's hard for me to see myself ranking him lower due to everything we already know about him, and how confident I am in his impact in the NBA, but I've already ranked Jackson higher than (almost) any other prospect for some time now (have him 2nd right now and since the beginning of December, with having him ranked 3rd for a couple weeks during Young-mania).

There's still much room on the bandwagon, so everybody jump on it!

[yoyoboy]

Yeah I'm kinda upset that he's getting more attention now lol. I was really thinking that we would have a good shot at drafting him in the beginning of the season, but I don't know if he falls to 7 anymore.

[Ruzious]

In conference play and per 100 possessions Jackson is now averaging more points than Bagley (35.8 to 33.7), on higher TS% than Ayton (75.9 to 67.6), and more blocks than Bamba (9.7 to 8.2).

Of course he also clearly averages the most fouls preventing him from actually playing as much as the other guys (only 24.5 MPG compared to 32-35 MPG for the other three big men) but he's been amazing recently. Not only his averages but also some of the plays he's made have been incredible.

I'm curious when – or if – more people will start looking at him as a legitimate top 3 pick.

Those are some amazing stats. I'm starting to think he'll be in the conversation for 1st pick - particularly if he reduces the fouling problem. Big Ten officiating isn't the most consistent. Sometimes they allow everything, and sometimes they call the smallest touch fouls.

I think it's too late for him to be in the #1 conversation when it comes to actual draft talk. Doncic, Ayton, Bagley and recently Young – they all had and have so much hype – dating back to last season and before for some – that this hype will be tough to replicate for Jackson. He's more likely to continue to be talked as a sleeper top 5 pick until the end of the year unless he totally destroys teams in March.

On this and other boards, and some draft sites who obviously do not have to actually pick plays with their jobs being at stake, this can look a little different, of course. I doubt that he'll be recognized as a potential first pick by the majority but some loud minority might develop. I have Doncic ranked first and it's hard for me to see myself ranking him lower due to everything we already know about him, and how confident I am in his impact in the NBA, but I've already ranked Jackson higher than (almost) any other prospect for some time now (have him 2nd right now and since the beginning of December, with having him ranked 3rd for a couple weeks during Young-mania).

There's still much room on the bandwagon, so everybody jump on it!

With 5 months and a few days till the draft, we have more than enough time for conversation and multiple changes of minds. Additional information and discussion encourages it - with no shame in doing so. And even if you end up with Doncic at 5th or 6th - where he should be - I'll still respect you.

[Cappy_Smurf]

Yeah I'm kinda upset that he's getting more attention now lol. I was really thinking that we would have a good shot at drafting him in the beginning of the season, but I don't know if he falls to 7 anymore.

Exactly my thoughts. I have this sick feeling that he's going to get drafted just out of reach.

I'm actually rooting for Utah to have a few timely(minor) injuries to help the tank. And yes, I know I'm going to hell, but if we can draft JJJr, it will be worth it.

TBH, I don't think he fits your team all that well. If I was you, I'd take a hard look at a couple other guys.

[The-Power]

With 5 months and a few days till the draft, we have more than enough time for conversation and multiple changes of minds. Additional information and discussion encourages it - with no shame in doing so. And even if you end up with Doncic at 5th or 6th - where he should be - I'll still respect you.

Oh, I am not concerned about our minds and certainly not my mind (I have shifted players more than once this year already) but the minds of the GMs around the league. It's just hard for me to imagine that Jackson will get so much hype that he will be considered a potential 1st pick – as no GM will risk his job by taking Jackson first in a draft full of long-time hyped prospects.

I, on the other hand, am willing to change my board as new information reach me. I've had Bamba at #2 to start the season and now I firmly have him outside my top 5 (currently at #7) despite me liking Bamba's personality probably more than that of anybody ahead of him. But with Doncic, we already know so much of him and with him still being in a tier of his own in my eyes, I just can't imagine that I'll have enough reasons to drop him.

Sorry, but it looks like we're definitely going to be in a ‘I told you so‘-situation a couple years down the road. I just hope I'm the one who gets to say it.

[yoyoboy]

Yeah I'm kinda upset that he's getting more attention now lol. I was really thinking that we would have a good shot at drafting him in the beginning of the season, but I don't know if he falls to 7 anymore.

Exactly my thoughts. I have this sick feeling that he's going to get drafted just out of reach.

I'm actually rooting for Utah to have a few timely(minor) injuries to help the tank. And yes, I know I'm going to hell, but if we can draft JJJr, it will be worth it.

TBH, I don't think he fits your team all that well. If I was you, I'd take a hard look at a couple other guys.

We need all the defense we can get, man. I like Bamba's defensive potential, but I think JJJ is just way more of a sure thing. He's more versatile, he's a better shooter, he's a better passer, and he's the more fluid player. Plus you have to be worried about teams going small and running Bamba off the floor.

I hate that the draft is before free agency. Because if LeBron was leaving, then I'd rather just swing for the fence and get one of Young or Porter Jr, hoping that they become complete offensive superstars who don't hurt you on defense that much. JJJ is more of a guy you add to a team to complete it. But I mean if he becomes a DPOY type guy who spaces the floor and gives you 16-18 PPG, he could very well be the best player from this draft.

[dred926]

I would be willing to trade dieng patton + okc pick for this kid

[GimmeDat]

I would be willing to trade dieng patton + okc pick for this kid

It would take a lot more value than that, unfortunately. He's a top 4-7 pick in a strong draft.

[doordoor123]

I would be willing to trade dieng patton + okc pick for this kid

It would take a lot more value than that, unfortunately. He's a top 4-7 pick in a strong draft.

I have him #1 right now... and I don’t think Patton and Dieng are worth a number 1 pick.

[PLO]

Happ vs JJJ will be a really interesting matchup tomorrow.

[doordoor123]

Happ vs JJJ will be a really interesting matchup tomorrow.

I think Happ will make a team. He’s just slow, undersized and doesn’t shoot the 3. Still he’s really skilled. I personally would have him over Yante Maten.

[PLO]

Happ vs JJJ will be a really interesting matchup tomorrow.

I think Happ will make a team. He’s just slow, undersized and doesn’t shoot the 3. Still he’s really skilled. I personally would have him over Yante Maten.

Happ was pawned pretty much in the first half by Nick Ward - this tape will really interest scouts. Pretty hard for him when he's basically a one man team. Good return for him though in the second half.