North Carolina forward Justin Jackson is seen by many as a safe pick in the NBA Draft, but the Miami Heat are hoping to take a bigger swing.
During this Thursday’s NBA Draft, the Miami Heat will have their eye on a trio of prospects they hope could slip to the 14th pick. As the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reports, Miami likes Gonzaga center Zach Collins, Duke guard Luke Kennard and Louisville guard Donovan Mitchell. They also like North Carolina forward Justin Jackson, but he’s viewed as a backup option.
"Jackson is viewed as a secondary option for the Heat, a consideration only if a handful of other players – such as Collins and Kennard, among others – aren’t available at 14."
Draft Express has Collins going to the Kings at No. 10, Mitchell to the Hornets at No. 11 and Kennard to the Pistons at No. 12.
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Jackson is a three-year player out of North Carolina and is a plus defender with good length. He showed improvements on his jumper last season, shooting 37 percent on 7.1 3-point attempts per game after shooting 30 percent in his first two seasons.
He’d fill a need–length and shooting at the forward spot–but might not be the most talented player when the Heat are on the clock.
During a conference call, Fran Fraschilla said that Miami shouldn’t draft for fit. He also rejects the popular opinion that Jackson is a “safe pick.”
"Because like Justin Jackson, for example. Okay, he’s safe because he played three years, except two and a half of the three seasons, he shot 30 percent from three. Only the first half of his third year did he shoot near 40 percent.So safe is an operative term here. I would just take, at 14, given who is going to be there, a couple young bigs, potentially Terrance Ferguson, maybe — Justin Jackson, I think you just take the best possible player that you think is going to play in the NBA and don’t worry about what position he is; figure it out later.If you reach for a safe guy, you know, to me that’s when I think you can make a mistake."
I’m higher on Jackson than most people. His jumper seems translatable, and he can score from multiple areas on the court. He’s also good perimeter defender who should be able to switch onto guards, and a very underrated passer.
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Still, if Mitchell or Collins are on the board, it’s hard to pass up on that sort of talent and upside. If the Heat are lucky on Thursday, one of them will fall.