2018 NBA Mock Draft: Knicks go big with Mo Bamba
5. player. 38. . F/C. Michigan State. Jaren Jackson Jr.
Do we have anything in the league like a Jackson-Jonathan Isaac-Aaron Gordon frontcourt? The Magic may not have a coach or a point guard, but they could sic a terrifying modern big man rotation on the league next season.
Gordon is up for a contract extension, but if Orlando invests in him long-term and finds a creative coach to unlock this team’s potential, the defensive and floor spacing that group brings would challenge even the most versatile teams in the league. The NBA is struggling to match up with Draymond Green and Kevin Durant on the Warriors and the Rockets’ floor spacing, but the ability to switch everything on defense and space the floor themselves would make the Magic an interesting matchup against the league’s best teams.
Isaac played just 27 games this year, but made 16-46 shots from deep and posted a 4.5 block percentage. Next year will show whether he can handle a bigger burden, but in limited minutes this year, he lived up his promise.
Putting Jackson in the mix could escalate the defensive potential of the group and give Gordon and Isaac even more room to operate inside.