While it’s expected that a point guard will be selected with the first overall pick, the Boston Celtics are reportedly interested in drafting a small forward in Josh Jackson, according to Chad Ford of ESPN.
Lonzo Ball and Markelle Fultz have received most of the interest around the league, but Ford’s sources says that the Kansas product is the type of player that Ainge gravitates towards most.
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“I’ve picked Danny’s brain for years,” said one general manager. “Jackson is an Ainge player all the way. Tough, athletic, long, versatile, elite motor. If he’s keeping the pick, Jackson just to me, far and away, is the most Celtics-type player for them to draft. From all my conversations with them, I’m convinced they’ll take Jackson No. 1.”
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The Celtics did draft Jaylen Brown last year with the third overall pick, another small forward who has a similar skill set to that of Jackson’s.
With the 2017 Draft scheduled for next Thursday, there is still a lot of time for the Celtics to make their decision. They have also yet to even hold a workout with Jackson.
“We like [Jackson] a lot,” a Celtics source told Ford. “But we like several guys a lot. We’ve got a week to figure it out.”
In today’s NBA, where wings are a much-needed commodity, it’s easy to see why Jackson is one of the front-runners to be selected with the first overall pick. By also drafting Jackson, the Celtics wouldn’t be faced with the dilemma of trying to incorporate another point guard alongside their all-star in Isaiah Thomas.
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