With the NBA season now concluded, all the focus turns squarely to the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft. As every year, we will see an influx of elite talent in the draft and there is some real star power atop the board in this particular class.
While Markelle Fultz will more than likely be the first overall pick come June 22nd, the Los Angeles Lakers will have some decisions to make from the second spot. While UCLA guard Lonzo Ball was seemingly considered the perfect fit for weeks, things have started to swing as we inch closer to the draft.
The idea of Kansas forward Josh Jackson being the better option for the Lakers at #2 continues to gain momentum and today, Los Angeles brought in the 20-year old for his second workout.
One of the reasons Ball was seen as the better fit in LA was because it seemed the Lakers already had their future at Jackson’s position, small forward, in last year’s 2nd overall pick Brandon Ingram. However, with how much interest has already been expressed towards Josh Jackson, it seems the organization believes the two can coexist on the wings. After today’s workout, Jackson furthered that belief and said he thinks he and Ingram could make for a ‘really special’ tandem. Following from Lakers Beat Reporter Mike Trudell:
Jackson thinks it could be “really special” playing with Ingram. Noted how GSW+CLE didn’t play centers in “winning time.” Versatility a key.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 13, 2017
While they are both natural small forwards, both have the ability to play multiple positions. We saw this last year with Ingram when head coach Luke Walton experimented playing him at shooting guard from time to time.
At Kansas, Jackson played as the 3 and 4 primarily and cited his ability to step in at that power forward spot as a key part of his versatility.
Jackson thinks he can guard “one through four” in today’s NBA. On offense, he played a lot of 4. Thinks he can play 1-3 as well on O.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 13, 2017
While the NBA transitions more and more towards small ball and positionless basketball, having two versatile forwards would make for a bright future in LA if that is the route they ultimately decide to take.
If Jackson is the pick, it’ll be interesting to see whether Walton deploys the two as the starting wing pair immediately with Julius Randle already being a solid piece at power forward. With the NBA Draft now just over a week away, how a lot of the picks unfold will hinge on who the Lakers select second overall.
