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Michigan State Basketball: 5 potential NBA draft landing spots for Jaren Jackson Jr.

By Justin Thind

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Xavier Tillman #23 and Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate during the second half against the Bucknell Bison in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Xavier Tillman #23 and Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate during the second half against the Bucknell Bison in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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CAMDEN, NJ – SEPTEMBER 09: Interior of 76ers logo painted on wooden floor at Sixers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey during the Julius Erving Youth Basketball Clinic on September 9, 2017 (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for PGD Global)
CAMDEN, NJ – SEPTEMBER 09: Interior of 76ers logo painted on wooden floor at Sixers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey during the Julius Erving Youth Basketball Clinic on September 9, 2017 (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for PGD Global) /

1. Philadelphia Sixers

SiriusXM NBA Radio just reported that the Sixers are actively trying to acquire a top-five pick in the NBA Draft. The Sixers might create a variety of different packages to get this pick. They could trade the 10th and 26th picks, along with a future protected first-rounder. Or, they could trade Robert Covington and the 10th pick. The possibilities are endless. However, there are a couple things you can be certain about.

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First, Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid will not be a part of that trade. Second, they will not be taking Jaren Jackson Jr. with that pick. You could classify the chances of that happening as almost zero.

The overall opinion on Twitter seems to be that the Sixers are big fans of Michael Porter Jr. and Luka Doncic. One of those two players could be who the Sixers are targeting with this potential top-five pick.

It is also possible the Sixers would use this trade to acquire Kawhi Leonard from the Spurs. Either way, Jackson did not even so much as work out for the Sixers and they already have Joel Embiid and Dario Saric paired together as one of the youngest, most efficient front-courts in the NBA. Remember, many people thought that Dario Saric should’ve won the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, an award that ended up being given to Malcolm Brogdon.

No need for the Sixers to add Jackson to that mix, or do something like breaking up that front-court to bring in Jackson.

If, for some reason, the Sixers don’t pull off this trade, look for the possibility of his former MSU teammate Miles Bridges ending up in Philadelphia with the 10th overall pick. This is a place where he could fit very well.

Next: MSU Football: Post-spring 2018 game-by-game predictions

2018 NBA Draft: Thursday, June 21st at 7 p.m. ET

As always, there is no way to truly predict how the draft will go. On top of that, this is one of the more open drafts in recent times. There also seems to be a lot of movement that could occur on or before draft night. Right now, one can only guess how Jackson’s night will unfold.

Where do you think Jaren Jackson Jr. will end up? Leave your comments below.

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