Denver Nuggets: 5 options for pick No. 13 in 2017 NBA Draft

2. Justin Jackson, SF, UNC

In the days of one-and-dones, Jackson is a bit of an anomaly. Highly recruited out of high school, he underwhelmed at UNC, never developing into a true star at the collegiate level.

Most top recruits bolt after their freshman year, but Jackson stuck around until his junior year. He improved each year, before finishing his college career as an integral part of of a national championship team.

Jackson averaged 18.4 points on 51 percent from two and 36.8 percent from three in the 2016/17 season. He stepped up when it mattered most too, jumping his scoring average up to 19.5 points per game during the tournament.

Jackson is underwhelming physically when compared to the other prospects on this list. At 6’8 1/4″, Jackson only weighs 201 pounds, and his standing vertical is under 30 inches. He lacks both the size and athleticism to excel at the next level.

But what he lacks in physicality he makes up for with experience. Of all the likely options for Denver at 13th, he is the oldest by far, and has the most experience in big games, while experiencing the most success as a national champion. He loves the big stage, as further evidenced by his career-high 34-point game against a sixth-ranked Kentucky team back in 2016.

Jackson scores well, but he’s a smart passer and his ability and willingness to move the ball reflects on his above-average basketball IQ. But his skill is still a bit of a question mark, and his shooting is relatively concerning.

Denver is looking to surround Jokic with spot-up shooters, and Jackson’s 37 percent from deep with the much closer line in college is discouraging. But the good news is that he’s improved his shooting considerably with each year.

It makes a ton of sense for the Nuggets to draft a wing player, and Jackson would certainly fit the bill. CBSSports.com’s Reid Forgrave sees him going to Denver, and notes his improvement as an appealing factor:

"“Jackson is a reminder that college players can develop at different rates, and that shouldn’t be considered a bad thing. A 3-point shot that had been inconsistent for his first two seasons stabilized his junior year, and Jackson became the versatile and athletic go-to guy for a national championship team.”"

But Jackson seems be the conservative selection at the wing position. He’s got experience, he is improving steadily, and he’s probably more NBA ready than some other late-lottery prospects, but his ceiling seems low considering his physical limitations and disappointing shooting numbers.

Some have described him as a possible stretch-4 in small-ball lineups, but Jackson just seems too small to be able to impact the game defensively as a 4.

He climbs all the way up to No. 2 on this list because of his experience, and the position that he plays. But if Denver is indeed looking to draft a wing player, then they should hope this next guy is still available.