6. Atlanta Hawks – Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C, Michigan State
Jaren Jackson Jr is the best talent available on the board and the Hawks will jump at the chance to take him. It will be interesting to see how Jaren Jackson fits in such a high movement NBA offense that Mike Budenholzer runs.
He will be forced to make some tough reads early in dribble handoffs and could struggle offensively with turnovers. However, Jaren Jackson gives the Atlanta Hawks immediate rim protection and defensive improvement. There are few prospects that are high athletes and have the off ball defensive IQ that Jaren Jackson has. Their current leader in blocks is John Collins averaging just over one a game.
However, Collins isn’t much of a rim protector and thrives off his athleticism to get blocks in transition and on jump shooters. The combination of Jackson and Collins gives Atlanta an extremely athletic frontcourt that could excel in a high paced transition offense in the future.