Demetrius Jackson is an intriguing option for the Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets are looking for a new third string point guard and Demetrius Jackson would be an interesting prospect for them to sign.
Briante Weber‘s time with the Charlotte Hornets is most likely coming to an end. The team brought in eight free agent point guards to workout and get a closer look at as they continue their search for a player to backup Kemba Walker and Michael Carter-Williams. Demetrious Jackson was one of the players scouted by the team and he might be a good option for them going forward.
The former second round pick was selected 45th overall by the Celtics in 2016 but he only appeared in five games for the team during his rookie season before being released this summer. During his rookie season, Jackson averaged 2.0 points per game in 3.4 minutes per game. He wasn’t given a lot of opportunities in Boston but Demetrius displayed promise with his play in the G-League.
In 32 appearances with the Maine Red Claws, the 6’1 point guard averaged 14.8 PPG, 6.0 APG, 5.1 RPG and 1.3 SPG while shooting 42% from the field, 27.5% from three and 79.4% from the free throw line. Those numbers might not jump out but for a rookie, they were enough to show potential.
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The Boston Celtics’ front office has drafted some good guard prospects over the past few years like Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, Jordan Mickey, Jaylen Brown and Guerschon Yabusele. With all of the guards they have, there just wasn’t room for Demetrius. That doesn’t necessarily mean he doesn’t have potential. It just means that he was the odd man out.
At only 22-years old, Jackson was the second youngest player to work out for the Hornets with undrafted rookie J.J. Frazier being the youngest. He is also two years younger than Briante Weber who was a promising prospect that Charlotte picked up last season. If they want to go with a youth movement, the University of Notre Dame product could be the perfect addition.
If signed, Demetrius would play the emergency point guard role much like Brian Roberts was last year.
Compared to the other players who worked out for the Hornets (Isaiah Canaan, Norris Cole, Donald Sloan, Marcus Paige, Jared Cunningham and Nick Johnson), Jackson arguably has the highest upside.
With the veterans like Canaan, Cole and Sloan, Charlotte already knows what they are getting which is both good and bad as those players have already reached and most likely passed their ceilings.
Frazier and Paige are unproven while Cunningham and Johnson have already had their shot in the league. Jackson still has plenty of potential and a lot to prove.
Next: Projecting Charlotte's 2017-18 starting lineup and sixth man
For what it’s worth, Jackson followed Kemba Walker on Twitter after his workout with the Hornets. Demetrius could be the perfect third point guard option for Charlotte. He is young with upside. The decision for the team will depend on who impressed during the workout. There is also a good chance that they go with a veteran option like Steve Clifford has done in the past.