Boston Celtics draft news: Jayson Tatum or Josh Jackson at No. 3?

The Boston Celtics will have an interesting decision to make come draft night. After trading the No. 1 pick overall, who will they choose with the No. 3 pick?

On the night of the draft lottery, Boston Celtics nation was buzzing with excitement, as the team had just won the right to the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA draft and was ready to challenge the juggernaut Cleveland Cavaliers for supremacy in the Eastern Conference.

Things have changed since then, to say the least.

After getting demolished by the Cavaliers, it became clear that the team is multiple pieces away from contending for a championship.

However, the team and its fans were more than happy with its current situation, as Boston was looking forward to the opportunity to draft Markelle Fultz, an elite guard out of the University of Washington who has been compared to James Harden.

Yet, Boston’s situation took another unexpected turn this week when it was announced that the team had traded its No.1 pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for the No. 3 overall selection in this year’s draft along with a protected 2018 Lakers first round pick (which could turn into a 2019 Kings/76ers first rounder based on protections). While this move seemed puzzling at first, Celtics GM Danny Ainge explained that “there’s a really good chance the player we’ll take at 3 is the same player we would have taken at 1”.

Clearly, the Boston Celtics do not view Fultz as the best player for their team in this draft. Instead, most people believe that the Celtics have zeroed in on drafting one of two elite forwards: Duke’s Jayson Tatum or Kansas’ Josh Jackson.

Tatum’s offensive game stands out

While both players put up similar scoring numbers, with Tatum averaging 16.8 PPG and Jackson averaging 16.3 PPG, the way that the two players scored was quite different. Jackson often used his explosive ability to finish dunks and putbacks while also excelling in the transition game.

However, Tatum showcased his ability to create for himself more often by scoring in isolation. Ball movement is being emphasized more in today’s NBA, but isolation scoring is still a supremely valuable skill that teams need in order to win championships.

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Tatum is able to use his 6′ 8″ size to get to the basket by weaving through defenders while also using his smooth jumper to excel from the mid range and behind the 3-point line.

Some people may be concerned with the high number of mid-range jumpers that he takes, but his solid shooting form and decent 3-point percentage (34.2%) suggest that he can definitely add more 3-pointers to his game. The fact that he is already an extremely polished scorer coming out of college means that a few years of NBA experience could make him one of the most elite scorers in the game.

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While Tatum relied more on footwork and a decision making to get open looks, Jackson mainly used his athleticism to get to the basket. It becomes much harder to rely on pure athleticism to succeed in the NBA, as players are simply more equipped to defend explosive athletes at the NBA level than at the college level.

Still, Jackson has the ability to become an elite NBA scorer if he polishes his offensive game. While his 56.6 percent free throw percentage is subpar, a 37.8% 3-point percentage suggests that he could become a threat from behind the arc in the NBA. Adding a consistent 3-point shot to this explosive athleticism is Jackson’s key to becoming a dangerous NBA player.

Jackson’s defensive intensity is intriguing

Just as Tatum seems ready to step into the NBA and become an effective scorer, Jackson has the tools to immediately become a defensive menace. His massive 7-foot wingspan can engulf players of all sizes around the court, a skill that is especially highly valued in the current NBA.

Teams are often running their offenses around the 3-point arc, so defensive-minded wings like Jackson who can defend on the perimeter are a necessity for every squad. Jackson averaged 1.7 steals per game (6th in the Big 12) and 1.1 blocks per game (13th in the Big 12), and his defensive ability has led to people comparing him to Kawhi Leonard.

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Tatum was not known to be a shut-down defender like Jackson, but he certainly has the ability to be effective on the defensive end. He has the same height (6′ 8″) and wingspan (7′ 0″) as Jackson, and while he is not nearly as explosive and agile as the former Kansas star, he is still very athletic and smart. His 1.3 steals per game and 1.1 blocks per game show that he does have defensive tools him him that can be unleashed in the NBA.

Who is the better fit?

Teams usually prioritize talent over fit when picking near the top of the NBA draft, but with Jackson and Tatum both having intriguing potential, Boston should consider each player’s fit in the team’s long term plans.

The Boston Celtics already has a number of talented young defenders to build around, including Marcus Smart and last year’s No. 3 overall pick Jaylen Brown. Adding Jackson to this group seems too repetitive, especially since Jackson and Brown have many of the same skills (athletic defenders who are great in transition and are developing their shooting abilities).

However, Tatum has a completely different set of skills than the majority of Boston’s young studs, as he is a go-to scorer who can become a solid defender with time and practice. Having a diverse set of young players to build around will help make Boston a scary team once these players develop.

Tatum can also be extremely valuable in the short-term if the Celtics make deep playoff runs in the next few years. Boston’s lack of go-to scoring was evident in its series against Cleveland, and Tatum’s presence gives the Celtics another source of offense. He can play meaningful minutes by contributing to a contending team while at the same time developing his abilities and elevating his game to new heights.

Brad Stevens’ floor-spacing offense is the perfect place for Tatum to develop, as it will give him the opportunity to work on his 3-point shot. Also, placing him next to potential free agent acquisition Gordon Hayward and Isaiah Thomas would allow coach Stevens to be very creative with his offense.

Overall, these reasons clearly highlight why Tatum is the player that the Celtics should pick 3rd overall on Thursday night.

Next: Boston Celtics draft news: Jayson Tatum might be the obvious choice at No. 3

Only time will tell who the Celtics will actually select (assuming that they don’t trade the pick), and with uncertainty and trade rumors flying around the league, this draft is shaping up to be one of the most exciting drafts in years.

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