Pippen Ain’t Easy’s 2017 NBA Draft: Mock Draft 2.0
Josh Jackson. 3. player. 93. . SF. Kansas
2.0 update: I’ve been going back-and-forth on this pick for weeks now and I still think De’Aaron Fox could be the guy here at No. 3 (as you can see from their write-ups below). But, not in this mock update. It’s Kansas wing Josh Jackson going to Philly.
1.0 update: With the Lakers getting the homegrown kid in Ball and the Sixers taking a chance on Fox potentially, that leaves Kansas’ Josh Jackson in the lap of the Phoenix Suns if they want him with the fourth overall pick. Jackson does come with some serious baggage in off-the-court problems, but he’s still likely going to be a high lottery pick. Every NBA team needs an athletic wing that’s young and can defend multiple positions. Jackson can be that guy for a young Suns bunch that needs a defensive stopper (and has a high ceiling). Like Fox, Jackson’s jumper needs some tuning, but his potential is definitely there.
RELATED: Documented details on Josh Jackson’s off-the-floor issues at Kansas
PG. Kentucky. De'Aaron Fox. 4. player. 66.
2.0 update: In the write-up below, I previously had Fox going to the 76ers at No. 3 overall. I changed my mind. Jackson makes much more sense than Fox does, although Fox’s stock continues to rise by the day seemingly. Still, for now, Fox becomes a part of the Suns with former Kentucky guards Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Devin Booker. (Someone’s probably getting moved, right?)
1.0 update: You were expecting to see Duke’s Jayson Tatum or Kansas wing Josh Jackson? Yeah, so was I. But then, I thought about it some more. And then a little more. And then read that the Sixers are high on Kentucky guard De’Aaron Fox. I know, Fox can’t shoot yet. The Sixers already have plenty of guys that can’t shoot, including last year’s No. 1 pick and probable point guard option Ben Simmons. He’s still a work-in-progress, but outside of the lack of shooting, Fox may very well become the best point guard in this class with his world-class speed from end-to-end and his ability to break down the defense getting into the lane. I’m on a hunch that the Sixers take a chance at No. 3 with Fox.