Fansided

2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 25: Lakers at No. 1, Knicks at No. 2

By Chris Stone

Jan 18, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dunks against Colorado Buffaloes forward Tory Miller (14) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Colorado Buffaloes guard Dominique Collier (15) watches the play at left. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dunks against Colorado Buffaloes forward Tory Miller (14) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Colorado Buffaloes guard Dominique Collier (15) watches the play at left. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) dunks against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Josh Perkins (13) in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Steppig/NCAA Photos/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) dunks against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Josh Perkins (13) in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Steppig/NCAA Photos/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about Justin Jackson at The Step Back.

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Justin Jackson

SF, North Carolina

Lottery odds: 1.1 percent

Draft status: In with an agent

If Sacramento Kings’ owner Vivek Ranadive was infatuated with Buddy Hield, can you imagine how he feels about North Carolina’s Justin Jackson, a 6-foot-8 wing who nailed 105 3-pointers this season? Plus, what’s better than trading Demarcus Cousins for a 23-year old and a 22-year old?

In all seriousness, Jackson would be a nice addition to the Kings roster as a scoring threat on the wing. He averaged 22.8 points per 40 minutes this season as he revolutionized his game by adding a more consistent 3-point shot. After shooting worse than 30 percent from deep in his first two seasons, Jackson made 37.0 percent of his attempts as a junior. His volume skyrocketed and he also improved his free throw percentage, two trends that suggest his improvement could sustain at the NBA level. Jackson also has the ability to attack in a straight line and possesses one of the best floaters in college basketball. That scoring ability wouldn’t look bad next to Hield.

Defensively, Jackson’s length can play a nice role. He bothered several players, including Kentucky’s Malik Monk, during the NCAA Tournament by challenging their shots and pressuring them on the perimeter. He needs to add some strength, though, in order to compete against more mature athletes in the NBA.

Learn more about Justin Jackson at The Step Back.