NBA Draft 2017: 5 best fits for Josh Jackson
Josh Jackson should surely be a top-five pick in this year’s draft, and he would fit well with plenty of the teams that have a chance at snagging him.
Kansas’ Josh Jackson has established himself as a top-five pick for the 2017 NBA Draft, and surely has plenty of teams gunning to take him early in the first round this year.
The small forward was a big piece of Kansas’ successful season, and led them to an Elite Eight appearance and a loss to Oregon. During the year, the freshman averaged 16.3 points a game, along with 7.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks. The 6-foot-8, 20-year old stud will surely provide a spark on both sides of the ball, and will definitely be taken early on in the first round for his talents.
Plenty of teams are hoping to swoop in early and pick Jackson as the next piece of their respective rebuilds, but only a few will likely have the chance to get him in the 2017 draft. Luckily, most of the teams that could really use Jackson in their lineup are in the top 10, and could either be patient and hope to pick the Kansas product themselves, or trade up with their picks to go after Jackson.
With that in mind, it’s time to dive into the top five best fits for Josh Jackson.
5. Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic find themselves with the No. 6 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, so they likely won’t have a chance at Jackson without trading up for an earlier pick. However, if the Kansas prospect falls into their lap at number six, they won’t find a better fit for their lineup.
The Magic are in some serious trouble with their current roster, after losing Serge Ibaka as their big name to the Toronto Raptors around the trade deadline a few months ago. If I asked you right now, as long as you weren’t a Magic fan, to name someone on the roster outside of Aaron Gordon, I’m sure you’d struggle. And it’s saying a lot that their most notable player is known for participating in dunk contests.
Jackson provides the Magic a chance to really start a solid rebuild with some young talent, and he could jump right into the lineup at small forward, where the Magic don’t have tons of depth at the moment. This would keep Aaron Gordon at his natural power forward position and form a nice defensive tandem in the froncourt.
Jackson would provide a true, two-way threat for the Magic, at a time when they really need to develop a star on their roster.