Numerous teams outside the top four in the lottery are trying to move up in order to draft Michigan State freshman forward Jaren Jackson Jr., Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets.
Jackson was extremely impressive in a workout on Sunday for the Suns, who own the top pick, Wojnarowski continues. The teams in the next three slots — the Kings, Hawks and Grizzlies — could receive some increasingly attractive offers due to Jackson’s rising stock, Wojnarowski adds.
Jackson has the size, length, shot-blocking ability and shooting range to be a force at both ends of the floor. He averaged 10.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 3.0 BPG in his lone college season with the Spartans. The 6’11” Jackson also made 39.6% of his 3-point attempts.
Jackson is currently ranked No. 4 by ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony.
Not surprising. He fits perfectly as a modern day big on both ends of the floor
I saw what he did against Syracuse in the NCAA tournament. Hard pass. He stinks.
+1
He won’t be facing a 2-3 zone in the nba.
A lot of players look bad against the 2-3 zone in college. Hard to do much as a big man in college when teams are allowed to park their own big man in the paint since there isn’t a three-second rule.
Too much hype going on here. It’s going to be an interesting draft.
Specifics on teams wanting to move up? It’s hard to imagine anyone in the top 5 of this draft moving out of the top 5. Some patience needed with JJ, but he’s the truest 2 position big in the draft.
An asset rich team like the Clippers could swing it, offering their 2 #1’s this year and a future #1.
Or the Celtics, who could package Jaylen Brown, #27 this year, and the Kings pick next year.
Honestly I hope Bamba moves up so my Mavs have a shot at JJ or Doncic.
Really? After the first 2 I could see literally anyone going 3-10. More reason to trade back
Ayton, Bagley, Doncic, JJ, and Bamba/Porter will go in the top 5.
Yes, and only a few mocks are otherwise. The top 5 figures to be made up of 5 of these 6 guys, and each team with a top 5 pick will likely find a fit (or they may trade with each other). I think what Orlando does at #6 will shape the rest of the top 10.
Unless a team is completely sold on one player being their guy, the depth of the draft at the top will work against teams trading back. Maybe a team like the Clippers (with two lottery picks) or the 76ers (who are the only clear win-now team in the top 10) packages some of their picks to take somebody but I doubt any other team would. All the other teams in the top 10 are in reasonable position to address a need from their current draft spot.
JJJ fouls a lot and can disappear. But he will be a league leader in blocks and is not a floater.
Grizzlies should trade Gasol to move up and take JJJ.
Agreed. They should move up to the…4th pick.
Lmao
I’m not drinking the Kool-Aid! I think JJJ has talent, but I wouldn’t draft him over Ayton, Donic, or Bagley. So ima leave that Kool-aid in the fridge for now.
I think the top 5 is with Ayton, Bagley, Doncic, Porter & Bamba, I am afraid JJJ & Young will go 6-7.
Reminds me of Bosh, I’d take him at 2.
No reason to trade up in this draft. If it’s the Bulls and they take a bad contract I’d do it. If it’s the Clipppers, I’d be hard pressed to move that far back. Clippers would have to obtain a Top-9 pick first and take some garbage back. 12 and 13 do not entice me like drafting Porter Jr, Mikal or Wendell Carter Jr.