6. Demetrius Jackson
Jackson was one of several two-way contract recipients for the Sixers last season. He fits an area of need as a ball-handler and has been on the roster before, meaning Brett Brown is already familiar with his game and his personality.
That’s where the argument for keeping him on the roster ends.
At 6-foot-1, Jackson is undersized on defense and struggles to produce efficiently on offense. He doesn’t create for others at a high level and often finds himself forcing the issue, driving into traffic and taking bad shots.
Jackson was once considered a top-20 prospect by some, with his drop to 45th in the 2016 NBA Draft surprising most draftniks. But the concerns that caused him to slip have been on full display since then, and he simply hasn’t earned another two-way contract heading into next season.
Talent and athleticism will always appeal to some NBA front offices, though, and Jackson has both. He’s an explosive, quick-twitch driver who can use his strong frame to finish through contact at the rim. His high-octane scoring at Notre Dame made him one of the nation’s best lead guards.
If Jackson can refine his shot and improve his efficiency, there’s a path to becoming an NBA backup. As the starting point guard this summer, the ball has been in his hands quite a bit, for better or worse.