JarenJackson Jr.

Preseason question: Can JJJ spend extended minutes at center? For most of his career, Jackson has functioned at the 4 beside another traditional big man, be it Marc Gasol, Jonas Valanciunas, Steven Adams, or Zach Edey. There’s a good chance that the Utah Jazz will start him at the same position beside Jusuf Nurkic on opening night. But with Lauri Markkanen on board, Utah’s most effective two-way lineups may require JJJ to slide up a spot so that a defensive-minded wing like Josh Okogie or Josh Green (maybe Ace Bailey?) can be on the court to hound the opponent’s top perimeter threat. Jackson has never been a great rebounder, he fouls too often, and he is most potent blocking shots as a help defender. But if he can protect the rim, control the glass, and stay on the floor to wrestle with opposing centers, Utah’s ceiling on both sides of the ball will go up several notches.