2023 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Victor Wembanyama makes surprise team happy

There were valid questions about GG Jackson’s readiness to contribute coming into the season at South Carolina. He’s only 17 years old, the youngest player in the draft. Those questions have been rendered moot: he looks comfortable and aggressive in a featured role for the Gamecocks. With his combination of youth and athleticism, expect Jackson to hold the intrigue of NBA scouts all season.

For Utah, it’s best to maintain the longview when preparing for next season and beyond. Even if Danny Ainge decides to let his team ride out the current campaign as fun, middle-of-the-pack “contenders,” Utah is far removed from title contention. And, with multiple first-round picks, it would be wise to take a few swings at upside.

Jackson has no shortage of that. He’s 6-foot-9 with an explosive first step toward the basket and plenty of strength to finish through contact at the rim. He can settle for bad shots and his decision-making is unsurprisingly chaotic at times, but it’s hard not to be impressed by the fluidity with which he elevates into pull-up jumpers or slashes down the lane. He’s already hitting a healthy volume of 3s, which bodes well for his NBA future.

Right now, Jackson doesn’t really elevate teammates and he can look uninspired on the defensive end. Physically, on paper, he should be able to defend all over the place, but he’s not great in space against quicker, more agile ball-handlers and he doesn’t really protect the rim. But he’s also 17 years old with a very clear path to massive improvement on that side of the ball. Utah should proceed happily and with patience.