2017 NBA Mock Draft: The final predictions

The Chicago Bulls have a type. The franchise has a recent history of drafting older players who can shoot it a little bit and create some offense, so we might as well slot them with another one of those guys here. North Carolina’s Justin Jackson can bring some actual outside shooting to help open up the team’s offense and his defense is certainly not as bad as many thought.

Jackson improved drastically as a shooter during his junior season, hitting 37.0 percent of his 3-point attempts. He saw a corresponding bump at the free throw line and also boosted his volume by a significant amount. Jackson is comfortable shooting on the move or in catch-and-shoot situations. He also has the ability to create a little offense against rotating defenses by driving in straight lines and finishing over defenses with a nifty floater game.

On defense, Jackson can use his length to bother players despite not having a particularly strong frame. That’s something he showed in the NCAA Tournament by taking on the challenge of defending Kentucky’s Malik Monk. He’ll probably be at his best guarding more shooting guards and small forwards than power forwards. Bringing that 3-and-D skill set to the Bulls could help the franchise long-term.

Learn more about Justin Jackson at The Step Back.