Los Angeles Lakers: Three reasons why Lakers should not draft Josh Jackson

Size (Measurements)

Josh Jackson has pretty good size. Jackson comes in at 6’8” while being able to play shooting guard, small forward and (presumably) power forward. His height isn’t really the issue, but rather his other measurements are.

Compared to other elite defensive wings in the league, Jackson’s wingspan is average. Coming in at 6’9.75”, it remains to be seen if Jackson can become a legitimate defensive stopper. The majority of the elite NBA defensive players have large wingspans. Jackson frequently gets Kawhi Leonard comparisons but those might not be fair to him because Leonard has a 7’3” wingspan. Paul George measures in at just under 7 feet. Andre Iguodala has a 6’11” wingspan and LeBron James‘ is over 7 feet. With Jackson’s being under 6’10”, it remains to be seen if he can play power forward for long stretches.

He also has a narrow frame and comes in at only 207 pounds. Jackson does have plenty of time to add additional muscle to his frame. But there are concerns over how much he can add to his narrow frame. He will need to be at least 215 pounds, as most wings are around 220 or up.

It’s not the biggest red flag, but it does limit his defensive upside as well as his potential to play power forward for long stretches.

Josh Jackson is definitely a talent. He possesses an intriguing skill set, particularly on the defensive end. However, there are some red flags to consider before selecting him.

Next: Who do the Lakers land in our complete first round mock draft?

Will the Lakers be able to get enough spacing when he’s on the floor? Can he guard power forwards consistently? Can he keep his emotions in check? These are all valid concerns and the main reasons the Lakers should pass on Josh Jackson with the 2nd overall pick.