Fansided

2017 FanSided NBA Network Mock Draft: Let the experts decide

By Staff

March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) works around Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Silas Melson (0) during the second half in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) works around Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Silas Melson (0) during the second half in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
15

Justin Jackson

Forward, UNC

The Portland Trail Blazers are a mid-tier Western Conference team with a loaded cap sheet and not many open roster spots. They hold three first round picks and will likely be looking to package a few together to shed some bad contracts and clear physical and financial space. However, if they’re looking for a player to hang onto, Justin Jackson might be a great fit.

The Blazers’ wings left a lot to be a desired last year with Al-Farouq Aminu, Allen Crabbe and Mo Harkless struggling to replicate previous offensive success, and Evan Turner struggling everywhere. If the Blazers are able to shed one of that group Jackson could step right in and become a key contributor.

He’s likely to lag somewhat as a defender, but Jackson is a crafty scorer on curls and off-screens around the elbow, as well as one of the best 3-point shooters available in the draft. He’s not quite the complimentary ball-handler the Blazers were hoping to land in Turner, but he would make for an extremely interesting complimentary scoring threat to Lillard and McCollum

— Ian Levy, Rip City Project, @ripcityproject