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Los Angeles Lakers get high mark in complete 2017 NBA Draft first round grades

By Kenneth Teape

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA prospects pose for a group photo before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA prospects pose for a group photo before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Josh Jackson (Kansas) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number four overall pick to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Small Forward. Phoenix Suns. JOSH JACKSON. A.

The NBA Draft Lottery didn’t pan out how the Suns had hoped. Despite finishing the season with the second-worst record, they fell to the 4th spot as the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings jumped them on lottery night. Despite the drop, the Suns are still landing their guy.

Unlike the other teams atop the draft, the Suns do not need much backcourt help. They already have a solid quartet in Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker, Brandon Knight, and Tyler Ulis. Now, they have a defensive-minded player to join them on the wing.

Jackson is one of the best athletes in this year’s draft class. He brings it on the defensive end of the court and can defend multiple positions. At Kansas he showcased his versatility, playing power forward and small forward. If he can continue working on his jump shot, Jackson should be able to play some shooting guard as well.

Jackson has a very high basketball IQ. He works great off the ball as a slasher offensively. He is also a very good distributor from the wing position. Jackson’s defense is probably his best attribute right now, but he has star potential if he can continue developing offensively.

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