Celtics' Ideal 2024 NBA Mock Draft and Players to Target in Draft-Day Trades | News, Scores, Highlig
The Celtics need to trust whoever they slot into their backup center spot, because they know they'll likely need that player to perform at some point. That's especially true if they aren't sold on the idea of retaining the likes of Xavier Tillman and Luke Kornet in free agency.
So, they may not feel comfortable trusting a rookie in that role and could seek out a more proven producer instead. Trading for Jackson, who's been getting squeezed for floor time by Indiana's crowded frontcourt, would not only net Boston a backup big with NBA experience, but he could have some untapped potential, too, since he's only 22 years old.
His skill tree seems fairly cemented, though. And that's mostly a good thing. He may not have much (or any) shooting or distributing to offer, but he does exactly what teams want from a rim-runner.
He is long and bouncy around the basket, and he uses those physical gifts exactly as he should. This past season, he tallied 11.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes, per Basketball-Reference, while converting a career-high 66.5 percent of his field goals.
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