Phoenix Suns: Complete 2017 offseason grades

Josh Jackson joins

The Suns may have missed their window on a Kristaps Porzingis blockbuster trade when they couldn’t capitalize on the New York Knicks’ temporary bout with insanity, but “settling” for Josh Jackson with the No. 4 pick in the draft was one hell of a consolation prize.

Phoenix had its eye on Jackson throughout the draft process, and when the Boston Celtics took Jayson Tatum at No. 3, the Suns got their guy.

This fiery wing is perhaps the best two-way prospect in the draft, and if he develops a consistent 3-point shot, he could conceivably become the best player in his draft class — a sentiment general manager Ryan McDonough stands by:

"“We thought Josh Jackson was the best player in the draft. 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.”"

In his one season 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 deep. Despite Tatum being pegged as the more dynamic scorer, Jackson actually posted better numbers in field goal and 3-point percentage.

Related Story: Phoenix Suns - 5 goals for Josh Jackson's rookie season

At NBA Summer League, Jackson earned All-Summer League First Team honors behind averages of 17.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, making his impact felt all over the court despite shooting just 42.5 percent from the field and 18.8 percent from downtown.

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.”"

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

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

Grade: A