Former No. 4 Overall Pick Takes Another Step In Attempt To Return To NBA

With high expectations after being selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft (one spot ahead of De'Aaron Fox), things just haven't clicked in the NBA for 6'8" wing Josh Jackson. He'll now get another chance to prove himself, at least in the G League. 

Former No. 4 overall pick Josh Jackson is joining the Stockton Kings, Sacramento’s G League affiliate, sources told @hoopshype. Jackson played for the Pistons and Kings last season.

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 24, 2023

Jackson has signed with the Stockton Kings, Sacramento’s G League affiliate. The 25-year-old played 51 games in the NBA last season with the Detroit Pistons and the Kings. He averaged 6.4 points and 2.8 rebounds in about 16 minutes of action per game.

He was once so highly touted that LeBron James, back in his 2nd go-round with the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the summer of 2017, suggested trading a disgruntled Kyrie Irving for him. The Phoenix Suns, who had just drafted Jackson, weren't interested. 

Over five years in the NBA, he's averaged 11.3 points, 4 rebounds and 1.8 assists, while shooting just 29% from beyond the arc. 

His one G League season, in 2019-20 while with the Memphis Grizzlies' affiliate, he fared quite well, posting averages of 20.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists, while shooting 38% from three. He'll try to recapture that success and get another NBA team interested in him. 

He spent training camp this season with the Toronto Raptors, but they waived him just before the season began. 

Photo: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports