2017 NBA Mock Draft: The worst picks every team can make

If Kansas wing Josh Jackson slid into the Minnesota Timberwolves’ lap at No. 7, they would likely be forced to take him because from an absolute talent perspective it would be a steal. The 20-year old is the No. 2 prospect on our big board right now because of his defensive versatility and potential to create offense. Jackson is one of the most competitive players in the class who uses his athleticism to dart into passing lanes and protect the weak side of the rim. At 6-foot-8, he’s pretty capable of playing the free safety role on defense.

Offensively, there are a few more question marks. The obvious one is his jump shot. Jackson’s mechanics are poor and he struggled from the foul line despite making nearly 40 percent of his 3-point attempts in college. Betting on him being a good jump shooter is a dangerous wager.

That’s why Jackson’s fit with Minnesota would be so awkward. Neither Andrew Wiggins nor Ricky Rubio are good outside shooters and head coach Tom Thibodeau is still rolling out plenty of lineups with two big men. The Timberwolves’ floor spacing would be virtually non-existent. While it’s unlikely Jackson will fall this far on draft night, consider him a proxy for the type of players, from a skill set perspective, that Minnesota should be wary of.

Learn more about Josh Jackson at The Step Back.