Ever since the NBA Draft Lottery took place last month it seemed like a foregone conclusion who the top two picks would be. The Boston Celtis would almost definitely take Markelle Fultz, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers to take the hometown guy, Lonzo Ball.
However, over the last few days another name has seriously thrown himself into the mix in Kansas forward Josh Jackson.
The Lakers are reportedly split between him and Ball, and now the Celtics are reportedly seriously considering him with the top overall pick according to Chad Ford of ESPN:
They’re staying mum on whom they’re taking No. 1, but a source says the franchise is strongly considering options other than Fultz and that Jackson is one of those options.
“We like him a lot,” the Celtics source said. “But we like several guys a lot. We’ve got a week to figure it out.”
Jackson recently made some news when he cancelled a workout with the Celtics and followed by having his second workout for the Lakers. But not working out won’t prevent them from taking whoever they believe is the best player via Ford:
If Jackson doesn’t work out for Boston, would that scare the Celtics away? “Absolutely not,” a Celtics source said. “That’s true for Josh and Lonzo and anyone else. We’ve done our homework. The workouts are nice, but they’re not mandatory. We’ll select the best player.”
With less than a week before the draft this is the time for all different kinds of smokescreens and rumors to take place. In all likelihood Fultz will wind up being the top pick, but nothing is guaranteed and the Celtics should consider all options.
Jackson definitely has the talent to be considered with the top pick, as do both Ball and Fultz. What the Celtics and Lakers ultimately do will be found out on June 22 when the newest crop of talent joins the NBA.
