Charlotte Hornets: 5 options for pick No. 11 in 2017 NBA Draft
1. Justin Jackson, SG, North Carolina
Some of the things I said about Luke Kennard also apply to Justin Jackson. He was the leading scorer at an elite ACC program, he brings the outside shooting Charlotte desperately needs, and he’s the type of local talent that could reinvigorate a fan-base that can get sleepy from time to time. Kennard is the better shooter, while Jackson has more defensive upside, but the they both fill similar needs in Charlotte.
This isn’t Sean May or Gerald Henderson 2.0. Jackson is a real prospect.
Jackson had a monster junior season that should have erased doubts about his jumper and his ability to defend at the next level.
Jackson was the best player on a North Carolina team that won a national championship, and he even won ACC Player of the Year. That’s not too shabby. Jackson averaged 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game on 44.3 percent shooting and 37 percent from three.
The improved jumper is what turned Jackson into a prospect that might get selected in the lottery, rather than someone most teams considered a second round pick. He shot just 30.4 percent and 29.2 percent from deep during his first two seasons at UNC. The improvement is a testament to his overall talent and his work ethic.
Jackson didn’t settle for only being an elite scorer inside the arc; he worked until his outside shot was proficient. In March, Danny Chau at The Ringer wrote about Jackson’s transformation and his importance to North Carolina’s season.
"“The transformation was born of necessity, on several levels: The Tar Heels’ two best players last season (Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige) both decamped for the pros at the end of Carolina’s crushing loss in the 2016 national championship game, and the feedback Jackson got from NBA teams after testing the waters at last summer’s draft combine was pointed and concise — get stronger, and get better from 3. “A change in team landscape and individual priorities created the monster we see now. Alongside fellow junior Joel Berry II, Jackson is UNC’s lifeline; over the summer, he gained somewhere in the ballpark of 20 pounds and tirelessly worked on refining his shooting process to shed extraneous motion. It’s all interwoven: Jackson’s added strength has allowed him to shoot from deeper without straining his mechanics, and the reps he’s getting as UNC’s lead weapon have given him plenty of time to grow more comfortable with his motion.”"
Despite his breakout season, there are still some question marks surrounding his NBA potential. Consider this passage from his Draft Express profile.
"“While Jackson has shown clear skill development, there are still some things he has to address to compete nightly against NBA wings. At 6’8″ with a 6’11” wingspan, he has very good size and length for a wing, but is just an average athlete by NBA standards. He’s a fluid athlete, but lacks a degree of explosiveness. “His frame is on the thin side at 201 pounds, which is a cause for concern as a 22-year-old junior, since he’ll likely always be somewhat lanky. He’ll have to continue to get stronger to handle the physicality of a NBA schedule as a small forward, much less be able to spend any time as a small-ball 4-man, which many teams like to see their small forwards do these days. “Jackson relies on his feel for the game and high skill-level to make the right reads on and off ball to help him score. There will be an adjustment he’ll need to make playing against more complex defensive schemes than he saw in college, but in a smaller offensive role, Jackson will likely find ways to use his basketball IQ to find openings to get good looks at the rim.”"
I agree with The Ringer‘s Tate Frazier that Jackson will be a shooting guard at the next level. He may have the size of a small forward, but he’s got the offensive skill-set and defensive profile of a 2-guard.
Jackson may have trouble guarding elite wings like Paul George, Jimmy Butler, LeBron James and Kevin Durant. He can more than hold his own against shooting guards though.
Jackson would bring scoring to a team that desperately lacks it. If he could help lift some of the offensive burden off of Kemba Walker he would have done his job. Draft Express currently has Jackson slipping to the 16th overall pick and being selected by the Chicago Bulls.
Charlotte may not consider him at pick No. 11. Then again, Michael Jordan is a University of North Carolina basketball legend. He might find the allure of picking one of his own too much to overcome.
Next: 2017 NBA Draft: 5 teams that should trade draft picks
The ceiling is the roof.