2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 26: The Timberwolves’ young core improves
By Chris Stone
Justin Jackson
SF, North Carolina
Draft status: In with an agent
The Detroit Pistons are going to have to do some soul searching after winning just 37 games in Stan Van Gundy’s third year at the helm. That may start at the point guard position, but with no lead guards available in this range, Detroit grabs a high scoring wing who should be able to help out an offense that ranked 24th in the league last season.
North Carolina’s Justin Jackson made steep climbs up draft boards this season after declaring last spring and ultimately returning to school. The key to Jackson’s rise has been his jump shot. After shooting worse than 30 percent from 3-point range in his first two seasons, he knocked down 37.0 percent of his 3s this season. Jackson improved from the foul line and drastically increased his 3-point volume as well. With a 3-point shot helping to open up the defense, Jackson’s floater became a more viable weapon on straight line drives to the hoop.
Defensively, Jackson has the length to make a reasonable impact. He smothered smaller opponents during the NCAA Tournament, but might lack the strength necessary to handle some of the bigger wings in the NBA.