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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Impact of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs

By Maxwell Ogden

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates a win during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates a win during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 03: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Michigan State Spartans 75-64. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 03: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Michigan State Spartans 75-64. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

67. . Forward/Center. Michigan State Spartans. Jaren Jackson Jr.. 7. player

Age: 18 (9/15/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 242 pounds, 7’4″
Slash Line: .513/.396/.797
Season Averages: 21.8 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.5 ORPG, 1.1 APG, 3.0 BPG, 1.1 3PM

Whether it’s Mohamed Bamba or Jaren Jackson Jr., the Sacramento Kings would be taking a center in this scenario. Sacramento simply needs to acquire talent as it makes a push for a return to relevance, which makes the best players available the top options.

With Bamba going to the Bulls at No. 6 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Kings invest in the overwhelming potential that Jackson possesses.

Jackson is a player with legitimate superstar potential, but it’s his safer upside projection that makes this such a justifiable pick. Even if he fails to put the rest together, Jackson is still an excellent three-point shooter and a legitimately elite shot-blocker.

3-and-D players are valuable along the perimeter, but when said player can dominate the interior, they reach an entirely new level of importance.

As far as his ceiling is concerned, Jackson has the tools to be a legitimate franchise player. He displayed the ability to go to the post, which is to be expected of a big, but he also showcased a tight handle that enabled him to attack closeouts.

Jackson is something of a project as far as realizing his true potential is concerned, but there should be no question whatsoever about how good he could become.

Knicks Note: To say Jackson would be a dream target for the New York Knicks would be an extreme understatement. He’d fit perfectly with Kristaps Porzingis.

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