2017 NBA Draft Lottery: 10 Ideal Selections For The First 10 Teams

8. Boston Celtics - <span Style="font-size: 15px;">Josh Jackson</span>

Draft Lottery
By TonyTheTiger (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Truthfully, the Eastern Conference runner-up Boston Celtics don't need this pick. They should, and probably will, try to trade it and some other items in their extensive war chest for an established star, like Jimmy Butler or Paul George. However, assuming that they keep this pick, Kansas swingman Josh Jackson is a no-brainer at #3. He's the best defensive player in the draft and he's a jack-of-all-trades on offense.

His collegiate stats are eye popping for a freshman at a major program like Kansas: 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game on .513% shooting. The only red flag on his resume is his dismal .566% free throw shooting, but that can be improved.

He could contribute right away, or the Celtics have the luxury of being able to take their time and thoroughly develop his skill set while their starting lineup wins games. Either way, the former Jayhawk star has sky high potential and nobody would blame the Celtics if they kept him.

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Virgil Atkinson hasn't written a bio just yet, but if they had... it would appear here.