Recently, North Carolina forward Justin Jackson worked out with the Chicago Bulls, raising the question of whether or not he would be a good fit with the team.
22-year-old Justin Jackson worked out with the Chicago Bulls on Monday, showing off his skill-set in a six-player rotation that also included Bam Adebayo, Dwayne Bacon and Harry Giles.
"It was probably one of my best workouts as far as learning and competition. I loved it," Jackson told K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. "It was intense. I feel I shot the ball really well."
The 2017 NCAA champion officially declared for the draft on April 13, having averaged 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists a game as a junior.
The University of North Carolina Tar Heel also shot 36.8 percent from downtown.
Jackson previously participated in the 2016 NBA Draft Combine as well.
"The feedback I got last year was (I) have to shoot the ball more consistently to be able to play at this level. I took that extremely seriously."
And it shows. The 6-foot-8 forward improved from averaging 12.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a sophomore.
As of now, various mock drafts have Jackson listed as the Bulls pick. Chicago, who was eliminated 4-2 from the first round of the playoffs, owns the No. 16 and No. 38 picks in this year's draft. The question is, should the front office really be looking into the Texas native?
Right off of the bat, Jackson fits the typical Bulls profile: young but experienced. Only 22, Jackson still has three years of collegiate basketball under his belt and stems from a pedigreed program — something else the organization has highly valued over the years.
"I've definitely seen that trend. I didn't have a conversation with them about it. But I'd love to play for Chicago. The organization is built on greatness."
A worthy legacy, absolutely. But lately, the franchise has taken a hit.
Between Derrick Rose not exactly panning out as hoped, the inability to sign top-level free agents for years and head coach Fred Hoiberg's shortcomings, Chicago has many voids to fill. Jackson is someone who could help them do just that.
A well-rounded player, his athleticism would first and foremost improve the team's offense because he has no trouble throwing up floaters or spreading the floor; the latter of which the Bulls have recently struggled with. Jackson would also help to improve things on defense, which is a part of the game Chicago has not excelled in since former head coach Tom Thibodeau was let go.
And, perhaps most importantly, he seems to have a high basketball IQ.
According to Mike Schmitz and Josh Riddell of Draft Express:
"Jackson relies on his feel for the game and high skill-level to make the right reads on and off ball to help him score… [he] will likely find ways to use his basketball IQ to find openings to get good looks at the rim.
"While Jackson is finally beginning to realize his potential as a shooter, he is also becoming more of a threat on the move as someone who can bend the defense with his off-ball cuts and shiftiness off screens. He is comfortable shooting after gathering himself when moving to his right or left and is able to quickly become balanced to get into his shooting motion.
"Jackson is a great communicator on defense and with the intelligence he has shown offensively, he should be able to easily pick up the complex schemes of NBA defenses."
While the Bulls should not count on either draft pick to turn the organization around, adding the right piece is crucial. Even without currently knowing exactly what the roster will look like come 2017-18.
Jackson is certainly ready to make the transition from college star to pro-level talent, and his skill-set seems to fit what Chicago is looking for. A hard worker who has already showed his ability to take direction, Justin Jackson is someone the Bulls should seriously consider on June 22.
That is, if he is still available at No. 16.
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