NBA Mock Draft 2017, Week 14: Markelle Fultz is still no. 1

The Phoenix Suns helped establish their frontcourt of the future last season by taking Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss in the lottery. The team also has point guard Eric Bledsoe under contract through 2018-19 and rising shooting guard Devin Booker in the backcourt. The obvious place, then, to make an improvement is at the small forward spot. Luckily for Phoenix, Kansas’ Josh Jackson can fit its need and is the second best prospect in the class.

At 6-foot-8, Jackson has the potential to be an outlier in two areas that make him an attractive NBA prospect. For starters, Jackson is already a really good on-ball defender with the upside of being a versatile option who can guard 1-4 at the next level. He moves well laterally, has quick hands and possesses excellent athleticism. The downside to Jackson on defense is that he occasionally falls asleep away from the ball and can allow his man to get free for open looks. That is hopefully something that will improve over time.

Jackson also has the ability to be a great creator from the wing. He’s shown tremendous passing skills this season en route to averaging 4.0 assists per 40 minutes. He has good vision and awareness when it comes to finding teammates both from a standstill and on the move. He’s at his best driving to his left and finishing at the rim or with a crafty floater. Jackson’s poor outside shooting is a bit of a limiting factor, but his ability to create shots for himself and his teammates is a unique skill for a player on the wing.

Learn more about Josh Jackson at The Step Back.