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Los Angeles Lakers: Three reasons why Lakers should not draft Josh Jackson

By Kevin Sanchez

Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) reacts during the second half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) reacts during the second half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Lakers host Josh Jackson for second workout
Jan 24, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) shoots a free throw during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Shooting

Jackson is certainly a talented offensive player. He does a lot of different things on offense and he does them well. One thing he doesn’t do that well is shoot. Specifically, long range shooting. The main issue seems to be his shooting motion. He has a bit of a hitch in his shot that may take a while to correct. Jackson struggled early on last season, shooting only 28% from long range until catching fire and finishing at a respectable 37%.

He needs to find consistency from long range. Not only that, he also needs to prove that he can shoot NBA range threes. The Lakers would likely field a starting line up that includes D’Angelo Russell, Jackson, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle and Ivica Zubac/Timofey Mozgov. If Jackson can’t be consistent from long range, this lineup may have trouble spacing out the defense. As the death machine known as the Golden State Warriors have shown everyone, it’s better to be able to space the floor.

This isn’t to say he won’t correct it, but Lonzo Ball has shown a pretty consistent NBA range three-point shot so far. Ball would provide spacing immediately and that’s not something we can say that Jackson can do just yet.

Not only that, Jackson also struggled immensely from the free throw line, shooting a paltry 56.6% from the charity stripe. That is simply unacceptable in the NBA for a wing as talented as Jackson. Combine that with the hitch in his shot and there are legitimate concerns about just how consistent he can become as a shooter.

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