Fansided

2018 NBA Mock Draft: Collin Sexton could break open the New York Knicks’ ceiling

BIRMINGHAM, AL - DECEMBER 22: Collin Sexton
BIRMINGHAM, AL - DECEMBER 22: Collin Sexton
25 of 30

Jackson is a really interesting fit next to a player like Marc Gasol.

Long term, I believe Jackson will be a center in the NBA, with his skills as rim protector and rebounder projecting best as the last line of defense in the modern NBA. Offensively, his stretch will be most effective the bigger he plays, and he should develop the body to survive against NBA bigs, if he doesn’t have it already.

I remain unenthused by Jackson’s face-up driving game out of the post, not because I don’t think it’s effective (he has the speed to scoot past college bigs), but because he goes straight to it the majority of the time. It’s simply not his most effective weapon. He should probably be shooting even more 3s as he develops, especially with so much talent around him at Michigan State.

Defensively, though, he will be a difference-making rim protector right away. He’s a menace in the paint. Assuming Gasol does return to form as an impact defender next season, he and Jackson could create an effective tandem, even in Jackson’s rookie season.