Josh Jackson says there wasn't enough time to work out for Celtics after trade

Josh Jackson said Wednesday that the fact he didn't work out for the Boston Celtics boiled down to timing.

"I felt like (the Celtics) made it pretty clear who they were going to draft with the No. 1 pick, so I didn't really feel like it was worth either of our times for me to work out with them," Jackson told ESPN. "But then when they, you know, did the (trade) and went to No. 3, by then it was too late."

Prior to Boston dealing the No. 1 pick to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, most assumed the Celtics would select Markelle Fultz in the top spot. Getting No. 3 in return, however, has linked them with Jackson, whom Celts president Danny Ainge had hoped would work out for them Tuesday. That never happened.

Ainge added Monday there was "a really good chance the player we'll take at three is the player we would have taken at one," leading many to believe that Boston is eyeing either Jackson or Jayson Tatum, who already worked out for them.

From a pure talent perspective, Jackson edges out Tatum in most scouting reports. The Kansas product is also more likely to be able to play both forward positions in the NBA.