Should Kansas’s Josh Jackson be the Celtics’ target in the NBA Draft?
Debate the answer with Chad Finn and Boston sports fans at The Sports Q.
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You see what Kansas did to Purdue [Thursday] night? Gotta believe they’re the team to beat. Their guards [Frank Mason III and Devonte Graham] played great, but Jackson was incredibly impressive. High motor, incredible athleticism, plays hard on both ends. He looked like a player who can contribute to an NBA team immediately. Like, right now. Think there’s a chance the Celtics end up with him in the draft rather than one of the guards everyone is always talking about? – Milt Newton For Life
It’s funny how those of us who are huge NBA fans and more casual college hoops fans react to the tournament. I totally admit — especially with the Celtics owning a top-four pick, with the best odds of ending up at No. 1 — that I watch college hoops for pretty much the sole purpose of getting a good look at the players who are certain to play at the next level.
And when the best prospects play up to their ability and fulfill all the hype, like Jackson against Caleb Swanigan and Purdue, or UCLA’s Lonzo Ball dishing the ball like Magic against Kent State and Cincinnati, envisioning that player starring for the NBA team you pull for is irresistible.
(Related, it’s too bad Markelle Fultz isn’t in this thing. His Washington team was lousy, and so he’s still something of a mystery to us NBA snobs.)
It’s pretty easy, in this small sample size, to become a skeptic of a prospect as well. Lauri Markkanen turned into a ghost down the stretch in Arizona’s loss to Xavier. Is that on him or his coach and teammates? For now, let’s cool it with the Dirk Nowitzki comps, yes?
To actually answer the question, could Jackson end up a Celtic? Sure, of course. He’s 6 foot 8 and might be a little redundant with Jaylen Brown, but his all-around skills, relentlessness, and defensive commitment are an obvious fit with the Celtics’ style.
He’s not a polished shooter yet, and he has some well-documented off-the-court baggage. But Danny Ainge will be thorough, and he sure as heck isn’t making his picks based on what an ESPN.com mock draft or DraftExpress suggests he should do. If Ainge, Brad Stevens, and the Celtics’ talent procurers think Jackson is the best prospect in this draft, they’ll take him. Same goes for Fultz, or Ball, or perhaps even Duke’s pro-ready freshman Jayson Tatum.
The suspense regarding which of these appealing prospects ends up in green is fun. I still think Fultz is the guy if they get their pick of everyone. But Ball is hugely appealing too, despite his obnoxious stage dad, and if the Celtics end up picking third, landing Jackson would hardly be a disappointment.
I have no idea if they’ll target him. But the tournament has made it clear that they’re going to get an outstanding young player, no matter whom it may be.
What do you guys thinks? Should Jackson be the Celtics’ target after what you saw against Purdue? Or is there are another prospect you hope ends up in Boston next season? Get at me in the comments.
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