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

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Josh Jackson, Kansas Jayhawks

Ultimate Upside Comparison: Tracy McGrady
Safe Upside Comparison: Andre Iguodala
Position: Guard/Forward
Age: 20 (2/10/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’8″, 203 pounds, 6’9.75″
2016-17 Slash Line: .513/.378/.566
2016-17 Season Averages: 30.8 MPG, 16.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 1.0 3PM

The prospect who best fits the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3 overall is Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk. He’s the 3-point shooter whom the Sixers desperately need on a roster that’s flush with non-shooters and big men.

Philadelphia also needs an on-ball defender who can lock opposing guards and forwards down, however, and there’s no guaranteeing that Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot will excel in that regard.

Jackson compares favorably to Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler, who’s still ascending, himself. He may never be an elite scorer, but he has the tools to put up Top 15 scoring numbers, all the while defending at a high level and facilitating in a similar manner.

Having said that, Jackson has the work ethic and drive to become a top-flight scoring threat, and that, along with his size and explosiveness, creates the foundation for a Tracy McGrady comparison.

I’m inclined to go with Stephen Jackson as a safe upside comparison, but the Kansas star toes the line of an Andre Iguodala. Like Jackson, a prime Iguodala was an explosive athlete with a strong build, an eye for facilitating, a supreme defensive ceiling, and a streaky shot.

The New York Knicks would love to draft Jackson, but it’s hard to imagine him falling much further than No. 3 come the 2017 NBA Draft.