Boston Celtics: Josh Jackson cancels pre-draft workout

Kansas guard Josh Jackson reportedly won’t workout for the Boston Celtics. He likely believes he’ll end up in Los Angeles.

A top-three prospect, Josh Jackson has canceled his workout with the Boston Celtics. Many believe Boston will select Markelle Fultz No. 1 overall, and Jackson may have a promise form another top-3 team.

It’s not unusual for players to begin canceling workouts once they receive a promise from a team that says they’ll draft them.

Many believe Jackson may have gotten that promise from the Los Angeles Lakers, which would be bad news for UCLA’s Lonzo Ball who really wants to be their pick.

The promise likely came from LA, since that is the only top-3 team Josh Jackson has met with. In LA Jackson would likely become an instant starter, which may interest him more than a bench role in Boston. Still though, if I were a player that could go No. 1 overall, I’d want to prove to the team with the No. 1 pick why they should select me, not the other guy.

Jackson is a 6’8″ small forward or shooting guard and he put up solid numbers for the Jayhawks. He averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.7 steals per game as a freshman at Kansas. Jackson is a strong defender as well, as noted by SB Nation.

"More from Boston Celtics3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 SeasonBlake Griffin Angling Hard to Re-Sign With CelticsGame-by-Game Predictions for the Celtics’ 2023-24 In-Season Tournament ScheduleKristaps Porzingis’ Foot Injury is a Problem Despite Celtics’ OptimismMarcus Smart, Grant Williams and Ime Udoka all Returning to Boston on 2023-24 Schedule“Jackson possesses many of the fundamentals necessary to pester opposing ball handlers, as well as the physical tools to overwhelm them. With incredible feet and the proper use of his long arms, Jackson appears much bigger than he is on film, and it shows. Opposing players constantly lose their balance, or dribble into traffic, or simply pull up to avoid attacking the Kansas product head on.”"

Jackson is actually rated higher than Markelle Fultz on some draft boards, but the assumption is that Boston still likes Fultz at No. 1. This is despite reports that Fultz had a poor shooting day when he worked out for the Celtics.

ESPN basketball insider Jeff Goodman joined Dale & Holley on WEEI last week and had this to say about Fultz’s workout.

"“From what I’m told, Fultz didn’t shoot the ball exceptionally well in his workout in Boston. But they know he can shoot the ball. So, it’s one workout.”"

Next: Who should the Celtics draft in Round 2?

So, maybe the Celtics already have their mind made up for Fultz while the Lakers will go with Jackson. The NBA Draft is quickly approaching, so stay up to date on Boston’s latest rumors and news here on Chowder and Champions.