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2017 NBA Mock Draft: New York Knicks and the value of the point guard

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) controls the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) controls the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) goes up for a shot ahead of Purdue Boilermakers defense during the second half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Kansas defeated Purdue 98-66. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) goes up for a shot ahead of Purdue Boilermakers defense during the second half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Kansas defeated Purdue 98-66. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Josh Jackson, Kansas Jayhawks

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 honest projection here is that the Los Angeles Lakers will select Lonzo Ball at No. 2 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. In the spirit of exploring other possibilities, however, we buy the debatable rumor of the Lakers’ interest in selecting Kansas Jayhawks swingman Josh Jackson.

Jackson has garnered comparisons to the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Tracy McGrady, Jimmy Butler, and Andre Iguodala, and any one of those scenarios would play out well for the Lakers.

Offensively, Jackson is still quite raw, but he’s displayed a powerful work ethic and a willingness to distribute. That much is proven by the fact he made nine 3-point field goals during the first 18 games of the 2016-17 season, but made 25 in his final 17 appearances.

If Jackson’s work ethic continues to be as reliable as it was at Kansas, then the Lakers will have found a new shooting guard with an incessant will to succeed.

On the other end of the floor, Jackson is widely regarded as one of the best on-ball defenders in this draft class. He shows mature instincts for a player his age, and has the size, length, athleticism, and strength to overwhelm opponents at all three perimeter positions.

An elite athlete with the tools for superstardom, Jackson could join Brandon Ingram in solidifying the Lakers’ defense and leading it back to the promise land.

The New York Knicks would like to trade up and draft Jackson, but are unlikely to have the necessary assets to get a deal done.

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