The 2017 NBA Draft is less than two weeks away. The Los Angeles Lakers, who own the No. 2 pick in the draft, haven’t ruled out prospects or possibilities with their selection, including the chance they take Josh Jackson out of Kansas.
Following a workout for the team late last week, Jackson thanked the organization for the opportunity. The Lakers brass got a chance to get a look at Jackson in Sacramento, but it is unclear whether he impressed the team or not.
According to Jackson’s agent, B.J. Armstrong, they don’t know if the Lakers will draft Jackson on June 22, via Sixers beat writer Tom Moore:
Asked Josh Jackson's agent BJ Armstrong about chances JJ goes No. 2 to Lakers. Answer: "I have no idea. It's too early."
— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) June 10, 2017
At this point, it is probably a safe bet to assume Jackson lands somewhere between No. 3 and No. 5. Washington Huskies star Markelle Fultz could be a lock at No. 1 while the Lakers have been linked to Lonzo Ball out of UCLA for quite some time. Los Angeles has made no guarantees on who they intend to take once the team is on the clock and that may be their stance until the Boston Celtics make their decision with the top pick.
As for Jackson, the former Jayhawks forward is seemingly in the same second-tier group as De’Aaron Fox (Kentucky) and Jayson Tatum (Duke) at the top of the draft. Jackson, Fox, and Tatum are all expected to be taken right after Ball and Fultz are off the board, but the order in which each player is drafted is up in the air.
The Philadelphia 76ers currently own the No. 3 pick followed by the Phoenix Suns (No. 4) and the Sacramento Kings (No. 5). Draft day trades aren’t out of the question with rumors circulating that the Celtics may be open for business at No. 1. The Kings may also be interested in moving up as they own picks No. 5 and 10.