NBA
#4 – Josh Jackson – Phoenix Suns
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
With the No. 4 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns select forward Josh Jackson out of Kansas.
Jackson brings a mix of versatility on both ends of the court. He needs to fill out his frame a bit, but projects to be an impact player on both ends of the court. Jackson’s ability to run the court and play off the ball could make for an interesting dynamic with other explosive athletes like Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker already on the Suns’ roster.
Jackson is a streaky shooter and his mechanics aren’t quite as pure as some would hope in a player selected this high in the draft. Nevertheless, Jackson has the tools to continue developing his already well-rounded game, which bodes well for a Phoenix team that is young, developing and in need of another wing. Jackson will have to compete with guys like T.J. Warren to find time on the court, but having a guy like Warren to help guide him early on should be seen as a positive. Warren could be particularly helpful in helping Jackson refine his game in the midrange, which he struggled with in college.
For Phoenix, they are adding a talented player who has the potential to be a major impact player on both ends of the court. The Suns have a lot of moving parts and long term questions to address, but they should be excited about adding a talented wing who has plenty of room to grow and improve.
