What can Jackson do for the Lakers?
Josh Jackson would be a fine addition for the Lakers. He fits in well with the current timeline of the team and the young core. In terms of potential has a high ceiling and a low floor, with his athletic ability and the production he’s shown in college. He can solidify strengths that the Lakers already have on the team and provide possible solutions for the weaknesses of the current Laker team.
Fixing the flaws of the Lakers should be their number one issue in the draft, and Jackson solves more than one deficiency of the team. He will be able to provide a defensive uplift after the lackluster output we’ve seen form the Lakers over the last few years. Jackson would also provide help on the glass, as the Lakers are in the bottom half of the league in terms of rebounds per game.
Athleticism would be the primary strength Jackson could reinforce on the team. While the Lakers as a whole are not the most athletic group, a large portion of the young core is. Clarkson, Ingram, Randle and especially Nance are quite an athletic troop. Adding Jackson to that band would be an exciting product to watch.
What Jackson can’t do for the Lakers?
While there is a lot of could that Jackson could do on the Lakers, that does not allow us to dismiss any unfavorable aspect he would contribute to the team.
Starting off with basic fit, Jackson plays the same position as Ingram. While a plan could be devised to play them together, it might take a while. Jackson could certainly play the two, but I think that he would best be utilized as a small forward.
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Jackson also is not a proficient shooter which is something the Lakers need. With Russell not currently being a knockdown shooter and Ingram showing quite a bit of struggle, shooting is in high demand. It is possible that Jackson could replicate his college three-point success in NBA, or over time learn how to shoot better, but it would be an issue that management would have to take a long look at.
With all things considered, I think that Jackson would be a great addition to the team. He has strengths that would help the Lakers immediately. His overwhelming potential would be hard to pass up. And his weakness as a player and as a fit on the team could be overcome with time.
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What do you think? Do you think that Josh Jackson would be a good fit on the team? Let us know in the comments below!