UK’s Jackson has numerous ties to Knicks
When it comes to the Knicks, Isaiah Jackson, the 19-year-old shot blocker, checks a few boxes.
No. 1 is Kentucky. He’s the best Wildcat prospect in the 2021 draft, projected as a first rounder, and that Kentucky-Knicks bond has thus far been consistent and positive for team president Leon Rose. No. 2 is the association with CAA, the agency that represents Jackson and was Rose’s company before he signed with James Dolan. For what it’s worth, Rose’s son, Sam — an agent with CAA Basketball — popped into Jackson’s Zoom session with reporters Friday.
These connections, while peripheral, have at least partially motivated multiple media mock drafters to send Jackson to the Knicks with either their 19th or 21st overall picks.
Jackson, who worked out with the Knicks on Tuesday, said he’d welcome such a move.
“They got a lot of Kentucky guys so I feel like I’ll fit in real well,” said Jackson. “I had a great workout there, too. I really enjoyed the competitiveness we had during the workout. I like the facility, I like the city, everything.”
Jackson, who worked out with at least 10 teams (Knicks, Magic, Nets, Hornets, Pacers, Kings, Thunder, Rockets, Spurs and Hawks), is 6-10 with a high defensive motor who could theoretically fill a rim-protecting role in Tom Thibodeau’s system. There’s a potential hole with two centers — Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson — hitting free agency.
Still, the tape on Jackson is thin, and he fancies himself more of a power forward in the NBA. The Michigan product played 25 games at Kentucky, averaging just 20.8 minutes and 8.4 points with 2.6 blocks, as John Calipari’s squad was dreadful during the
COVID season.
“I missed out on a lot. Rupp [Arena] wasn’t as packed as previous years and I feel like they really messed us up last year,” Jackson said. “If we had a crowd cheering us on, I feel like we would’ve won a lot of those close games. I feel like I sort’ve got robbed from my college freshman year.”
Interestingly, Jackson was perhaps most bullish on his workout with the Nets, saying his performance was “great” and “I feel like they really want me.”
Brooklyn owns the 27th pick.
“I think the feedback there was good, too. I feel like they really want me. I feel like I can bring it all,” said Jackson, who called Kevin Durant his inspiration for playing basketball. “Especially playing in the playoffs, when they have [Durant] playing at the five, I feel like I could fit that role. Put KD at the 4 and let him do his thing. Some of the older guys as well, like Blake Griffin, I feel like I could help him not having to play as many minutes.”
The Knicks have three picks in roughly the same vicinity (19th, 21st and 32nd) and logic dictates they’ll try to package them together since Thibodeau won’t have much use for three rookies on his roster. There’s been the most noise surrounding Collin Sexton, the Cavaliers young point guard, who has been made available in trade negotiations.
Regardless, they’ll have plenty of intel on Jackson. The connections are obvious.
“I feel like I could fit in real well [with the Knicks],” Jackson said. “I don’t think they’d have me playing a traditional big like you said, but I feel like I could fit that role if you want to go smallball. I could play the five and guard anybody and also stretch the floor if needed.”