Joshua Jefferson Comparision.

[TitanClone]

For comparison sake, Joshua is only one year younger than Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Josh Giddey who all seem like they’ve been in the NBA forever.

Yep and quick glance there's 104 players 22 or younger in the NBA. Jefferson would be on that list for like a month next year.

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[RustShack]

For comparison sake, Joshua is only one year younger than Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Josh Giddey who all seem like they’ve been in the NBA forever.

Everyone knows the NBA likes to draft raw young talent, but they still draft older players too. No one’s expecting JJ to be a lottery pick. Most NBA players end up playing for multiple teams anyways. The difference is experienced players have more of a known floor/ceiling(to an extent), but young raw athletes are viewed just by ceiling. A lot of young draft picks don’t pan out.

 

[TitanClone]

Everyone knows the NBA likes to draft raw young talent, but they still draft older players too. No one’s expecting JJ to be a lottery pick. Most NBA players end up playing for multiple teams anyways. The difference is experienced players have more of a known floor/ceiling(to an extent), but young raw athletes are viewed just by ceiling. A lot of young draft picks don’t pan out.

This back and forth started with a poster asking if the Pacers would take Jefferson over AJ or Boozer given the chance

Post in thread 'Joshua Jefferson Comparision.'

Jan 12, 2026

They will likely be very near at the top of the draft at which point they're probably in the Peterson, Dybansta, Boozer kind of territory.

So you're saying they take Dybansta or Boozer every time over Jefferson? Hali is already the man so not sure they take Dybansta. So then is Boozer that much better than Jefferson?

• iseedit

 

[twincyties]

This back and forth started with a poster asking if the Pacers would take Jefferson over AJ or Boozer given the chance

Post in thread 'Joshua Jefferson Comparision.'

Jan 12, 2026

They will likely be very near at the top of the draft at which point they're probably in the Peterson, Dybansta, Boozer kind of territory.

So you're saying they take Dybansta or Boozer every time over Jefferson? Hali is already the man so not sure they take Dybansta. So then is Boozer that much better than Jefferson?

• iseedit

I should have let someone else jump on the grenade with that question

 

[madguy30]

It's not the same but sometimes I wonder if a taller Burton is a good comp.

 

[TitanClone]

I should have let someone else jump on the grenade with that question

Should have just said maybe with their second round pick or if they end up with a late 1st round on top of the top 3 pick.

 

[12191987]

For comparison sake, Joshua is only one year younger than Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Josh Giddey who all seem like they’ve been in the NBA forever.

Was Kuminga like 12 the first time it was rumored the Warriors were ready to give up on him?

 

[Cyclones8824]

Was Kuminga like 12 the first time it was rumored the Warriors were ready to give up on him?

He really is always in trade talks.

 

[clones_jer]

50 posts and no one has mentioned how wildly close Ejim and Jefferson's lines are. Jefferson does shoot a little better, especially from outside (Ejim 30%, Joshua - 36%).

for a true comparison we probably need to take minutes per game, and maybe just look at per season, the career marks get messy with wildly varying freshman years impacting things

 

[Cyclones8824]

50 posts and no one has mentioned how wildly close Ejim and Jefferson's lines are. Jefferson does shoot a little better, especially from outside (Ejim 30%, Joshua - 36%).

for a true comparison we probably need to take minutes per game, and maybe just look at per season, the career marks get messy with wildly varying freshman years impacting things

For this I only used senior seasons stats

 

[ISUTex]

Jefferson reminds me of Glen Robinson.

 

[Peter]

As much as I like Jefferson, I'm not sure how well his skill set will translate to the NBA. Hopefully he can find a role and have a long career. But to be fair, I felt the same with Brock Purdy. I didn't anticipate him being a top QB. I always thought it would be great if he could have a long career as a backup. Sometimes when you see an athlete every game you notice the faults and take their strengths for granted.

It will translate well. He's a versatile 6-9, 240 lbs forward who can guard several positions. He'll need to continue to improve his shot and his handle in the NBA, but I could definitely see him starting in a couple of years as a kind of do it all glue guy. Kinda like Kyle Anderson with an actual jump shot.