NBA Mock Draft 2017, Week 10: Dennis Smith Jr. to the Sixers

Having the second pick in the draft could put the Miami Heat in a bit of a bind assuming Fultz comes off the board first. I’m a strong believer that Kansas’ Josh Jackson is the next best player available by a reasonable margin, but playing him alongside Justise Winslow would create some spacing problems on offense. The obvious criticism of Jackson revolves around his jumper. His awkward mechanics and poor shooting numbers (54.4 percent on free throws and 28.1 percent on 3s) make it nearly impossible to project him as a good shooter at the next level given that his form is going to require a complete overhaul.

In order for Jackson to be a top prospect, then, he needs to be elite in other areas where wings don’t traditionally excel. That’s where the 6-foot-8 freshman shines. On offense, he is an elite distributor for his position, possessing great court vision and the size to see over defense. It’s possible that Jackson could ultimately end up playing a point guard role at the next level where he dominates the ball in a way that helps mitigate his shooting concerns. Ultimately, this is what might make it possible for Jackson and Winslow to coexist.

Defensively, Jackson combines excellent athleticism with a high motor. He is great pressuring on the ball, using his quick hands to generate steals. Playing as a small ball power forward, Jackson has also shown himself capable of protecting the rim from the weak side, a skill that is necessary if teams want to play smaller lineups. Because of his creation ability and his defense on the wing, Jackson has molded himself into a top prospect despite his shooting woes.

Learn more about Josh Jackson at The Step Back.