Justin Jackson’s arrival in Dallas represented a significant shift in the trajectory of the Dallas Mavericks future. The Mavericks’ blockbuster trade for Kristaps Porzingis was the headliner of the season, but shipping Harrison Barnes to Sacramento and everything he represented for the organization and city of Dallas was monumental. And while the long-term fruit of the trade is cap space and the flexibility to build a core around Luka Doncic and Porzingis, Jackson showed glimpses of a future role player in Dallas.
Jackson’s rookie season with the Kings left much to be desired, but before being traded to the Mavericks, the former Tar Heel began to show flashes of what made him the 2016-17 ACC Player of the Year.