Phoenix Suns: 2017 NBA Draft grades

No. 4 — Josh Jackson, Kansas

The Suns didn’t get their hands on a Porzingis-Devin Booker star tandem on draft night, but Josh Jackson falling to No. 4 was a pretty terrific consolation prize. This fiery wing is perhaps the best two-way prospect in the draft, and if he develops a consistent three-point jumper, he could conceivably steal the title of best player in the draft.

General manager Ryan McDonough believes the same.

"“We thought Josh Jackson was the best player in the draft,” he said. “People say, ‘Well yeah, maybe he’s the best two-way player,’ but last I checked, the game was played two ways, you don’t just play one. We really like Josh — his talent, we love his fit for our roster.”"

From his defensive skill-set to his competitive fire to his passing ability on the wing, Jackson is one consistent jump shot away from being the total package.

In his one year at Kansas, Jackson averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from three-point range. Despite Jayson Tatum being pegged as the more dynamic scorer, Jackson actually posted better numbers in field goal and three-point percentage.

His jump shot needs some slight modifications to translate to the next level, but his versatility, defensive mindset, playmaking ability, youth and defense all make him a tremendous fit with Phoenix’s rebuild.

"“When I look at Phoenix, that’s one of the things that really excites me is that they’re young,” Jackson said. “I know that I got a lot of things to learn coming into this league. I know that they still got some things that they need to learn, but being able to learn those things together and come up and group up together, I think down the road that will make our team chemistry just so much better and end up making us a really special team.”"

Between Devin Booker and Jackson, the Suns now have two pillars to build on, with Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender potentially being the third and fourth.

Jackson will help cover for Booker’s deficiencies on the defensive side of the ball, while Booker’s scoring ability and shooting range may clear driving and cutting lanes for the former Jayhawk on the other end.

T.J. Warren is eligible for a contract extension in these upcoming summer months, so Jackson also provides insurance on the wing in case the two sides are unable to reach an agreement.

However, McDonough didn’t seem to worried about that, specifically mentioning that having Booker, Warren and Jackson all on the wing is a luxury given the way the league is trending.

If Jackson can control his temper and harness that fiery on-court persona of his, it’ll be good for a young and undisciplined Suns team that got into plenty of scuffles and led the league in technical fouls last year. But even if he doesn’t, Jackson’s toughness still fits this team’s genetic makeup like a glove.

The Phoenix Suns got their guy at No. 4. Only time will tell if that jumper can elevate him from a good player into a great one, but McDonough and the front office have to be happy with how the first round went.

Grade: A