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NBA Mock Draft: Are Lonzo to LA and Jackson to Boston locks?

By Nathan Beighle

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) looks to pass the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the second half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) looks to pass the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the second half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) cuts the nets after defeating the Kentucky Wildcats in the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. North Carolina won 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) cuts the nets after defeating the Kentucky Wildcats in the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. North Carolina won 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Pick No. 16: Justin Jackson

After last year’s selection of Denzel Valentine, the Chicago Bulls will again go with another fully developed collegiate player in Justin Jackson. Jackson led his Tar Heels to a championship victory over Gonzaga in his junior year.

In his junior year at UNC, Jackson averaged 18.3 points per game and sank 2.3 triples per game. He shot the deep ball at 37% which, for a 6-foot-9 player, is pretty solid. Jackson continued to improve every season until winning ACC Player of the Year his final season.

Jackson gives good length, but he weighs just 193 pounds. Playing the small forward position in the NBA and weighing only 193 will be tough. Jackson will need to pack on some weight before he becomes a go-to defender. While he still has aspects of his game to work on, Jackson is one of the more developed players in this draft.

His ceiling is lower than most, but he could be a solid role player even in his rookie season. Especially with all the Jimmy Butler rumors, the Bulls might like to draft a small forward with this pick.