Role
Jackson arrived from Memphis at the February deadline and played just three games in a Jazz uniform. He's working back from knee surgery. The résumé is why he's here: a Defensive Player of the Year award, three All-Defensive teams, and two All-Star nods. Last season he averaged 19.4 points and 1.4 blocks.
The team that just allowed opponents to shoot 45.1% from three needs exactly what he brings: a switchable big who can protect the rim and still space the floor.
2026-27 prediction
Watch the games-played number before the box score. If he's healthy, the Jazz defense climbs out of the league basement, and he's back near 18 points and two blocks a night. Whether Hardy starts him at the four (his stated preference) or the five is the lineup question of training camp.