Dallas Mavericks: Is Justin Jackson a bust? Will he go down as one?

Will Dallas Mavericks forward Justin Jackson be looked at as a draft bust?

He is entering a pivotal season if he wants to avoid it. A first-round pick not earning a second NBA contract would be considered a bust. Jackson is entering the final year of his rookie deal with no guarantees he will receive another offer.

The Mavericks want to contend next season. That means both upgrading their roster this offseason and not waiting around for a young player to figure it out. If Jackson is not producing, the Mavs could replace him in the rotation with a veteran that will help the team win. The 6’7 forward falling out of the rotation next season could lock in his bust status.

Does that happen? Odds are 50-50 as of this writing. Jackson shot 28.6 percent on catch and shoot threes this season and just 30.7 percent on ones classified as wide open per NBA Stats. He is never going to be a primary ball-handler, so hitting open shots is key to him staying in the league. That did not happen last season. Struggles in 2021 could see him dropped from the rotation.

Justin Jackson will be a player to monitor early in the season. If the struggles continue, expect the Dallas Mavericks to remove him from the nightly rotation.

Next: What he can do next season