Demetrius Jackson Signing Will Pay Off For Celtics

The Boston Celtics signed rookie point guard Demetrius Jackson to a four-year contract

When the Boston Celtics first grabbed former Notre Dame point guard Demetrius Jackson with the 45th selection in June’s draft, many rejoiced knowing that general manager Danny Ainge had just pulled off a dynamic steal.

Now, with Jackson securing a four-year, $5.5 million deal with the Celtics, Boston fans will now receive the opportunity to witness the 6’1″ floor general develop over the next handful of seasons. While All-Star Isaiah Thomas will command the majority of the minutes at point guard, and Terry Rozier impressive summer league will likely earn him a primary reserve role, Jackson will receive an opportunity to showcase his skills on the professional stage should an injury occur to either of those options.

Boston’s willingness to ink Jackson to a fully guaranteed four-year contract displays their intent to commit to his progression as a player. Judging by his performance with the Fighting Irish, this engagement will not be one that the Celtics regret. While his size might not be substantial, in watching players like Thomas develop into an All-Star, we have become schooled to the notion that if a player has the intangibles and work ethic necessary, they can become an impactful performer regardless of stature.

This is just the potential that Jackson contains. Over his three seasons with Notre Dame, he cemented his reputation as a vaunted offensive threat. In 2015-16, the Indiana native posted a career-high 15.8 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the field – a solid mark based on the amount of shots that he was burdened with leading Notre Dame’s offense. He is a dangerous threat off of the pick-and-roll, someone who can either pull-up for a midrange jumper – he knocked down 52.5 percent of his two-point attempts last season – or drop a dime down to the rolling front court option as he averaged 4.7 assists with Notre Dame in 2015-16.

Jackson’s ability to survey what the defense is providing him with after receiving screens could be a valuable skill for a Celtics team that will predicate much of its half-court offense around pick-and-rolls. In coexisting well with low-post options in Zach Auguste and Bonzie Colson in the pick-and-roll while learning to dish out to the perimeter to a shooting option such as Steve Vasturia while with Notre Dame, Jackson developed the skills to feel comfortable passing off of a screen in either situation.

Furthermore, the 201-pounder can shoot the ball, as well – key for a Celtics team that will need improved shooting from their backcourt in coming seasons. In 2014-15, Jackson converted on an impressive 43 perecnt of his looks from three-point range, and he shot the three at a 45 percent clip in summer league play just weeks ago. Despite the fact that the majority of his summer league highlights from outside came from pull-up, off-of-the-dribble scenarios, Jackson has shown his ability to spot up and make shots as well.

While with Notre Dame, Jackson garnered 1.24 points per possession on catch-and-shoot chances, a figure that ballooned to two points per possession when a defender was not within ten feet of him. This is a valuable asset for Boston, who was plagued in 2015-16 by the inefficient spot-up outside shooting by the likes of Thomas and Marcus Smart.

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Despite the fact that the majority of his 2016-17 campaign could be spent in Maine with the Red Claws barring a significant injury to a Celtics rotation player, Ainge certainly made the correct move in locking Jackson up for the next four seasons. If he can further develop his defensive versatility to where he can stick with both point guards and shooting guards in the coming years, Jackson could be a starting option for the team down the line.