Versatility has always been one of Andre Jackson Jr.'s greatest strengths. Doc Rivers is seemingly pushing that claim to the limit, as he told reporters that he's trying out Jackson, a natural two guard, at several positions during Milwaukee Bucks training camp. If Jackson wants to survive Milwaukee's inevitable roster cutdown in the coming weeks, he must find a way to thrive in these odd spots.
"He's not on the ball. We've played him a lot at the five and the four. Small, small ball. Especially defensively, he has the ability to do what he just did," Rivers told reporters as Jackson got a block during a camp session. It won't be easy, but as his future in Milwaukee remains uncertain, Jackson must do whatever he can to remind the franchise who he is and what he can do.
Jackson's best path is being a Swiss Army Knife
The writing has been on the wall for months that Jackson's odds of making the actual roster are slim. They just don't have the room to keep everyone, and with the wing's salary not fully guaranteed, he is the likeliest player to be cut. However, that's not set in stone. Like everyone on the roster, he has the opportunity to prove in training camp why he should stick around.
So far, it sounds like he's doing so with his versatility. Naturally a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, Jackson is embracing a role he has little to no experience with in his NBA career. During his rookie year, the wing spent just one percent of his minutes at power forward and zero at center. Last season, it was seven percent at power forward and zero at center. Why would the Bucks do that? It's all about versatility.
Based on their offseason moves and comments, Doc Rivers, Jon Horst, and everyone else involved with the Milwaukee Bucks want this team to be as versatile as they come. That may involve players not always sticking in their natural position and having to get uncomfortable. Teams like the Thunder and Pacers are the perfect example of how good a team can be when they have options.
Obviously, Jackson will not be a full-time power forward or center. This won't be a situation like former Buck P.J. Tucker found himself in when he was Houston's starting center in 20219-20, even though he stood at just 6-foot-6. However, like Tucker in Milwaukee, it was always useful to have a player capable of switching between positions when the situation called for it. Jackson could do the same.
There's no telling if Andre Jackson Jr.'s willingness to tweak his position will be enough to keep him on the roster, but it certainly cannot hurt. At this point, he must embrace whatever they throw his way. If the Bucks like what they see, they could be more inclined to keep him.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.