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NBA Draft 2018: 5 best fits for Jaren Jackson Jr.

By Rucker Haringey

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Michigan State Spartans forward Jaren Jackson, Jr. (2) looks to the bench during the NCAA Division I Men's Championship First Round basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Bucknell Bison on March 16, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Michigan State Spartans forward Jaren Jackson, Jr. (2) looks to the bench during the NCAA Division I Men's Championship First Round basketball game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Bucknell Bison on March 16, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 7: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 7, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 7: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 7, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers face a real tough decision this summer as to whether or not they should keep DeAndre Jordan. Whereas keeping their rim protecting center would be very expensive, letting him go could cost their defense any chance of being an average NBA unit.

If they do elect to let Jordan walk, acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr. could help them deal with his absence. In time, he could become the same sort of rim protector that Jordan already is. The Clippers’ hope would be that his ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter would give their offense even more spacing.

Jackson Jr. would also be an excellent big man to pair with Tobias Harris. Harris isn’t a threat to win a Defensive Player of the Year Award anytime soon. He tries hard, but he’s too limited athletically to guard dynamic big men. Jackson Jr.’s presence on the team means Harris could always pick the easiest big man to match up against.

Like the Cavaliers, the Clippers probably would need to move up in the draft to take Jackson Jr. Unlike Cleveland, the Clippers actually have some ammunition to work with. Holding both the No. 12 and 13 overall selections could give Los Angeles the chance to move up and grab him.

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