Redrafting the 2018 NBA Draft: Elite playmakers and modern bigs

Jaren Jackson Jr. is both young and injury-prone, which can be difficult to reconcile in the context of this re-draft. But what we know is that, when available, very few players can top Jackson’s impact on the defensive end. He finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season and is another prime example of the innately valuable “modern” big.

One could credibly argue that Jackson was the second-best player on the second-best regular season team in the NBA last season. He is integral to the young Grizzlies’ championship aspirations. Jackson led the NBA in blocks with 2.3 per game despite averaging only 27.3 minutes. He still struggles with foul trouble every now and then, but Jackson is starting to trend toward more playing time and perennial All-Defense recognition.

A 7-foot-4 wingspan and nimble footwork allow Jackson to erase scoring opportunities for the competition. He’s an elite free safety — capable of ranging out to the perimeter when need be, but most effective hanging around the paint to muck up driving lanes. If he can break the 30-minute-per-game barrier, it’s not hard to imagine Jackson taking home some defensive hardware in the near future.

What makes Jackson unique is his ability to combine shot-blocking and 3-point shooting. Very few players in the league are genuine A-list rim protectors and competent shooters. Jackson is more than competent; he’s borderline prolific. With deep range and unwieldy confidence, Jackson can bend defenses to their breaking point while Ja Morant gashes them down the middle. It’s a fruitful combo, but that particular skill would translate to any team and any system. Having just recently turned 23 years old, Jackson still has plenty of time to build on his offensive repertoire.