NBA Draft 2018: Grizzlies take Jaren Jackson Jr. at No. 4
The Memphis Grizzlies have picked up Jaren Jackson Jr. with the fourth overall pick, and are adding perhaps the draft’s best big man in doing so.
The Memphis Grizzlies have selected Jaren Jackson Jr with the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Jackson was arguably Michigan State’s best player during his freshman season, but flew under the radar thanks to lesser production than the two big men who went above him, DeAndre Ayton and Marvin Bagley. However, the odds that Jackson is better than either are not low.
Jackson might be the best defensive player in the 2018 NBA Draft class, as his combination of fluid movement on the perimeter, rim protection instincts, and understanding of positioning helped him post the sixth-highest defensive box plus/minus by a freshman ever. On offense, he shot nearly 40 percent from three, and showed potential to play all of the roles a big man can have in a modern offense – Rolls to the rim, pick-and-pop, and even putting the ball on the floor in space. Jackson was second on our big board throughout the year for a reason – he has the best combination of high floor and high ceiling of anyone in the draft outside of Luka Doncic.
Jackson’s fit on the Grizzlies is strong because of his versatility. He should be able to play next to Marc Gasol, operating as a secondary pick-and-pop big off of Gasol’s passing, and helping limit the effect of Gasol’s decline on defense as he transitions into being their primary rim protector. He will provide the Grizzlies with some potential scoring punch as they transition into life after Grit-N-Grind, and should keep their historically strong defense going. This is a great pick and great fit if the Grizzlies’ core is healthy again. Memphis did great here.