NBA Rumors: Boston Celtics Interest In Josh Jackson Increases

Josh Jackson is beginning to pique the Boston Celtics’ interest just as the NBA draft is drawing closer. Jackson’s rise could have a huge impact on the top six picks in the draft. And he could be the type of player who can convince the Celtics to keep the pick.

Surprisingly, Washington guard Markelle Fultz might not be the only player the Boston Celtics are considering taking with the No. 1 overall pick. Josh Jackson has a couple of skill sets which could give him a leg up on the competition in the upcoming weeks.

According to NJ.com, there are rumblings about the Boston Celtics and their perceived interest in Josh Jackson. There will be some questions regarding Jackson’s validity as the top player in the draft. On most accounts, Fultz had a better season, but it did not translate to victories. That is something to keep an eye on in the next few weeks.

The argument for the Celtics taking Markelle Fultz is sensible. He is the best pure scorer amongst the players in the draft. With the rise of stars like Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard, anyone with those similarities is enough to garner any attention. Fultz’s skill set has been compared to Curry on occasion. Whether or not he he becomes a top 15 NBA player remains to be seen.

Good offensive players do not always translate in the NBA game. If there is any trepidation regarding Markelle Fultz, it would be can he be as dominant of a scorer against bigger and faster competition. Similar concerns follow Josh Jackson, but there is something he does that will have a carryover in the pros.

The Kansas guard is a defensive-minded player, with a developing offensive attack. Some draft observers have compared Jackson to the Chicago Bulls’ Jimmy Butler. If the Celtics can get a player in the draft with Jimmy Butler’s potential, on a much smaller salary they would come out looking great. Jackson would have to pan out as a pro, but defensively he would help the Celtics in a big way.

The Philly Voice brings up an interesting scenario with a trade that could possibly take place between the Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Here's the Bill Simmons Sixers-Celtics trade idea involving Dario Saric. https://t.co/NodyM6REgg

— Joe Giglio (@JoeGiglioSports) May 23, 2017

In the Philly Voice scenario, the Celtics and 76ers would swap draft picks, with the Sixers also sending Jahlil Okafor to Boston.

According to NJ.com, via Bill Simmons’ Podcast, a different variation of the deal could happen. The only difference would be for the 76ers to send forward Dario Saric to the Celtics instead of Okafor.

Both trades would work in principle, providing both teams what they need.

At No. 3 the Boston Celtics would take Josh Jackson, provided that he is still on the board. The Sixers would likely take Lonzo Ball with the pick they would receive from the Celtics. Ball denied the Celtics an opportunity to conduct a pre-draft workout, according to a recent Inquisitr News’ report.

Conversely, an ESPN report has Ball considering a pre-draft workout with the Sixers. The Boston Celtics could still wind up taking Markelle Fultz when it is all said and done, but there is a strange feeling that they would be open to a trade. That trade could be for a star player instead of a pick in the top half of the lottery.

Despite making it to the Eastern Conference Finals the Boston Celtics have needs. One of those needs is a secondary scoring option, or at the very least, someone to play alongside Isaiah Thomas. Whether not this upcoming draft can provide that remains to be seen. Keep a close eye on what the Celtics are pondering.

With that said, Josh Jackson playing for the Boston Celtics is not an outlandish idea.

[Featured Image by Jamie Squire/Getty Images]