2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 24: Time to randomize the lottery!
By Chris Stone
Josh Jackson
SF, Kansas
Draft status: In with an agent
The Boston Celtics have a 64.3 percent chance of landing a top three pick on lottery night, but just a 25.0 percent chance of grabbing No. 1. However, no matter where Boston ends up picking early in the draft, they’ll face an interesting decision. Several of the top prospects in 2017 are point guards, but Boston’s back court is one of its strongest assets. The other top prospects are wings, another position where the Celtics are quite deep. Given that, Boston’s choice should reflect who they think the best available player is. We’ll ship them Kansas wing Josh Jackson, but an obviously compelling case could be made for UCLA’s Lonzo Ball here as well.
Jackson is a two-way player, though, at the position currently in the highest demand across the NBA. His defensive intensity will fit in well with head coach Brad Stevens and his athleticism could help the Celtics on the boards, an area where they’ve struggled in the playoffs against the Chicago Bulls. Jackson’s fit on offense is a little more difficult to peg as Boston’s biggest need offensively is more outside shooting from its guards and it’s unclear how well the 6-foot-8 wing’s jumper will translate. However, Jackson had some success at Kansas playing as the screener in pick-and-roll and an offensive attack that used those actions with point guard Isaiah Thomas would be interesting.