Sir Charles in Charge
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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Versatile bigs dominate the top 5

By Connor Harr

CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 08: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Dean Smith Center on February 8, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 08: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Dean Smith Center on February 8, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 26: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Breslin Center on January 26, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 26: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Breslin Center on January 26, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. Atlanta Hawks: Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C, Michigan State

Big Board Rank: 3

There’s not really anything good going for the Hawks. Pretty much every player on there team except John Collins isn’t an essential piece to their rebuild. Even though the Hawks only good young piece is a big man, Jaren Jackson should fit in nicely with John Collins.
Not too sure if Jackson starts right away, he’s one of the rawer players in the top 10. Once Jackson does start seeing heavy minutes, he should compliment John Collins well on both sides of the ball, but especially defensively.

With Jaren Jackson and John Collins in your frontcourt the Hawks become extremely switchable on defense. Throw Taurean Prince and Kent Bazemore in, and the Hawks could switch on just about screen defensively.

Offensively, the fit will be a little harder, but it should include a heavy dosage of ball screens with Collins and Jackson. With Jackson flashing a perimeter game there’s a chance to eventually run 4-5 pick and rolls with Collins and Jackson which would be a scary thought.