New York Knicks: Full 2017 NBA Mock Draft With Upside Comparisons

15. Portland Trail Blazers: Justin Jackson, North Carolina Tar Heels

Ultimate Upside Comparison: Joe Johnson
Safe Upside Comparison: John Salmons
Position: Small Forward
Age: 22 (3/25/1995)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’8.25″, 203 pounds, 6’11”
2016-17 Slash Line: .443/.370/.748
2016-17 Season Averages: 32.0 MPG, 18.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.8 APG, 2.6 3PM

The Portland Trail Blazers have a pair of stars in the backcourt and an intriguing young center in Jusuf Nurkic. There’s an abundance of depth around those three rising stars, but Portland has left some room for doubt at the two forward spots.

OG Anunoby has a higher ceiling, but after a knee injury, a cold-weather city may not be the answer. Thus, the Trail Blazers use the first of three first-round draft picks on Justin Jackson.

Jackson’s ambitious upside comparison is former Indiana Pacers star Danny Granger. Like Granger, he uses his size to his advantage as a scorer, with the ability to shoot over smaller defenders and drive the lane to finish with an array of moves.

Jackson is also an underrated defender, comparable to Granger, as well as an underrated passer who can distribute in a similar manner to Joe Johnson.

A safer comparison for Jackson would be long-time NBA veteran John Salmons. He may never be an elite player, but he has the ability to score at a consistently high level, which includes his 3-point shooting and midrange game.

Jackson is a vastly improved 3-point shooter who flashed lockdown defensive ability during the 2017 NCAA Tournament. That’s what the Trail Blazers—and New York Knicks—need.