Is Michigan State's Jaren Jackson Jr. the best player in the 2018 NBA draft?

What's your fancy: Slovenia's Luca Doncic? Arizona's DeAndre Ayton? Duke's Marvin Bagley III?

But talk of Michigan State's Jaren Jackson Jr. cracking that top three has increased considerably. Another question being asked: Is Jackson actually the player NBA player in this draft?

On "The Bill Simmons Podcast" Monday, Danny Chau and Simmons had that exact discussion.

"There's a growing suspicion over the last couple days that I think he might be the best player in this draft. He has real potential to be the best player in this draft," Chau said.

The duo compared Jackson to another player with Lansing area ties, Grand Ledge native and Boston Celtics player Al Horford.

"He's probably as good at guarding guards as he is at rim protection. I think he's the best rim protector in this draft.

Said Simmons: "(Jackson) translates most to the basketball that we watch. If you have somebody that can shoot 3s on one end and guard bigs on the other end, that's kind of the jackpot."

The podcast also sent Jackson's Michigan State teammate, Miles Bridges, to the Los Angeles Clippers in its mock draft. Isaac Lee said Bridges is a 'surefire pick' and will have a long NBA career as a fifth starter or in the bench rotation.

Said Kevin O'Connor: "He could become a really, really high-level player if his offense continues to develop because there are some things I don’t think he got to show within Michigan State’s system. ... he’s a complementary, athletic spot-up shooter who attacks closeouts and can do a little bit off the dribble. There’s a lot of potential there."

ELSEWHERE

• On NBA.com, David Aldridge has Jackson going to the Dallas Mavericks at No. 5 and Bridges to the Nuggets at No. 14. 

"Jackson has way too much two-way potential to walk away from," Aldridge wrote. "Bridges could well toggle between forward spots in the pros ... (Bridges) will fit right in with the run and gun."

• CBSSports.com's Gary Parrish has Jackson to the Hawks at No. 3 and Bridges to the Nuggets at No. 14. But Parrish has his reservations about Jackson.

"I'm not as high on Jackson as most, if only because he didn't produce at Michigan State the way so many other heralded freshmen produced. ... But I do understand why he projects as a perfect modern big.

"In a mostly position-less NBA, I'm comfortable trusting (Bridges) will figure things out and be impactful quickly."

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• nbadraft.net has Jackson going to the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 4 and Bridges to the Washington Wizards at No. 15.

• SB Nation's Ricky O'Donnell says the perfect pick for the Sacramento Kings at No. 2 would be Jackson.

"This draft is stacked with talented center prospects, but we’ll take Jaren Jackson Jr. over any of them," he wrote." He’s going to be the best big man in this class because his game translates to the modern era better than anyone else."

He then went on to write that Bridges' athleticism would be the perfect fit for the Knicks and Kristaps Porzingis at No. 9.

"Today’s NBA values wings who can switch defensively, run in transition, hit a catch-and-shoot jumper and attack a closeout. Bridges can do all of that as one of the best pure athletes in the draft."

• The Athletic's Michael Scotto sees the Hawks taking Jackson at No. 3 and the Clippers taking Bridges at No. 13. 

• Sticking with the parent company, USA TODAY Sports has Jackson to the Mavericks at No. 5 and Bridges to the Charlotte Hornets at No. 11. 

Follow digital sports producer Phil Friend on Twitter @Phil_Friend.