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Bossi's Best: Wings in the 2017 NBA Draft

Josh Jackson
Josh Jackson (AP Images)

As we continue our preview of the 2017 NBA Draft, we move on to looking at the top wings. Former Rivals.com No. 1 player Josh Jackson heads National Basketball Analyst Eric Bossi’s best prospects at the position.

MORE BOSSI'S BEST: The top NBA Draft factories | Top lead guards in the draft

1. JOSH JACKSON, KANSAS

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Breakdown: In the NBA, elite wings are arguably the most important player to any great team. In Jackson, I see a future elite wing who is a bit of a new age Scottie Pippen. He’s able to defend multiple positions, rebounds his position very well and is a playmaker at the rim and for others in transition. His jumper isn’t conventional, but he shot it well enough at Kansas.

Can he be replaced? I don’t think that Kansas can fully replace Jackson, but with the return of LaGerald Vick and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, the Jayhawks have some wing experience and size that should be able to come close.

2. JAYSON TATUM, DUKE

Breakdown: Tatum is the latest in a lengthening line of Duke wing players who played as hybrid/combo forwards in college. He has a high level of skill, can play in the post or facing the basket, rebounds well and will develop into a respectable enough three-point shooter.

Can he be replaced? Last season, Tatum stepped right in for Brandon Ingram. Ingram filled the slot left by Justise Winslow who had stepped in for Jabari Parker. That’s a heck of a streak, and it is seemingly coming to an end. Four-star Jordan Tucker was a good enough late pickup, but he’s not in the category of the guys before him. Duke will count on Javin Delaurier to make a big step up this season.

3. MALIK MONK, KENTUCKY

Breakdown: There were few, if any, in college basketball capable of exploding for more points in shorter periods of time than Monk. Though he’s on the smallish size for an NBA two guard, he’s a freaky athlete who has great range and a quick release on his jumper. Some think he could play some on the ball, but he looks like a pure wing scorer to me.

Can he be replaced? Replacing Monk’s jump shooting is going to be the biggest obstacle that Kentucky faces this season. Former five-star two guard Hamidou Diallo is bigger and maybe even more athletic, but he’s not near the jump shooter. Incoming four-star combo guard Jemarl Baker, at least on paper, may be UK’s best shooter.

4. JONATHAN ISAAC, FLORIDA STATE

Breakdown: The more I look at Isaac, the more I see the one guy in the draft who strikes me as a true boom-or-bust prospect. He’s got tremendous size, he’s a good athlete and he has nice shooting touch. But, he’s also the one guy who never truly went off or exploded for huge numbers. I probably could have put him on the list for bigs, but I see him doing most of his damage from the perimeter.

Can he be replaced? The Seminoles did land five-star shooting guard M.J. Walker late in the process, but he’ll be more of a replacement for Dwayne Bacon. who figures to get drafted in the second round. Incoming freshman Raiquan Gray could be that four man who can play in space, but he’s more of a Draymond Green style four than a face-up guy.

5. JUSTIN JACKSON, NORTH CAROLINA

Breakdown: A former five-star prospect, Jackson stuck around three years and got himself a National Championship out of the deal. He can shoot, has a deadly mid-range game and has good size for an NBA wing. Lack of strength and just OK athleticism could be early issues, but he’s been a bit overlooked by some as a solid pro player.

Can he be replaced: The bigger issue for Carolina than replacing Jackson is going to be whether or not their soon-to-be very young front line can come close to replicating the departed interior production. Former five-star wing prospect Theo Pinson doesn’t shoot it like Jackson, but he will have enough experience to do a capable job of filing in.

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