Phoenix Suns rookie forward Josh Jackson knew even before he made his debut in the NBA that his first year in the pros is going to come with plenty of challenges. Still, his frustration about what is turning out to be an underwhelming rookie campaign is palpable.
The Suns selected Jackson fourth overall in this year’s draft, but entering Monday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, the former Kansas Jayhawk is averaging just 9.2 points, 1.0 assist, and 3.7 rebounds per game. He is also shooting a ghastly 39.5 percent from the field. Jackson, however, isn’t being afforded consistent minutes by Phoenix, partly explaining his mediocre numbers. Jackson is playing in 21.3 minutes per game, though that wildly fluctuates from anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes on a game-to-game basis.
When asked about it, Suns head coach Jay Triano points to the composition of the team as among the primary reason for Jackson’s limited playing time, per Scott Bordow of AZ Central.
“I sense his frustration in wanting to play but at the same time I have to ask what’s my best option for scoring when ‘Book' is not in the game or if I’m trying to create space for ‘Book',” Triano said. “It’s T.J. at times. We’ve looked at ‘Book' at the point but him at the point with two guys who are non-shooters makes it tough.”
“It’s kind of where we are with our players on the roster right now,” Triano said.
Jackson isn’t going to overtake T.J. Warren as the team’s top small forward, as the latter is the Suns’ best scoring threat not named Devin Booker. Furthermore, the Suns seem to have a surplus of forwards in the fold with the likes of Dragan Bender, Jared Dudley, and Derrick Jones Jr. all vying for playing time.
Jackson has no recourse but to play as best as he could when he’s on the floor. When given minutes, he can be pretty productive, as Jackson is averaging 15.6 points per 36 minutes.
Jackson is just 20, so he’ll have plenty of time to improve.
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