While the Detroit Pistons will have many options to choose from with the fifth overall pick, they also have the 31st pick, and could use it on the youngest player in the 2023 NBA Draft.
The Pistons had the youngest player in the league last season in Jalen Duren and it worked out for them, so could they go for a raw youngster again? Gregory “GG” Jackson is one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft but offers some things the Pistons need.
Detroit Pistons draft: Gregory Jackson has a raw offensive game
The most intriguing part of Gregory Jackson’s offensive game is his isolation scoring. For a 6-foot-9 forward, he has great ball handling ability to create offense for himself. Jackson did struggle with his efficiency in college, shooting just 38 percent from the field and 32 percent from three. Jackson shot just 30 percent on off the dribble shots for South Carolina but showed good touch and footwork from the mid-range.
The 18-year-old is comfortable taking turnaround shots and taking shots in the air. If Jackson is able to get stronger, he can hopefully be a player who can have a reliable post-game. Even if the post-game never develops, Jackson’s ability to break down his defender on the perimeter is almost unheard of for a player his size and his age.
Jackson’s three-point shooting isn’t too big of a concern, as it is not unlikely he can become a reliable shooter from outside the arc. The other concern you may have in Jackson’s game is his decision making. For a player who excels with the ball in his hands, he does not project as a great playmaker. Now you could have the debate once he plays with NBA talent he will be more likely to give the ball up but that is a development he will have to make with his game.
Worries about his defense?
While Jackson has good size at the four, he will need to get stronger if he is ever able to become the multi-positional defender you hope he can be. I would not be too worried about his defense, as he is still so young (he will be 18 years old on draft night) and has plenty of time to mature on that end of the floor.
While Gregory Jackson may not be an All-NBA defender, there is a lot of improvement he can make as he gets older and continues to grow into his body.
Fit on the Detroit Pistons
A frontcourt of Jackson and Jalen Duren would be one of the most exciting young duos in the NBA. Both players are so young and have so much potential, so taking a player like Gregory Jackson would show a lot of patience by the Pistons front offense.
In terms of Jackson’s fit next to Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, it could work very well. The Pistons will need a third ball-handler who can make life easier for the Pistons’ young backcourt. If Jackson can improve his decision making and efficiency offensively, he can be a great complementary piece for the Detroit Pistons.
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