Josh Jackson Rumored as Target for Teams Looking to Trade Up in 2017 NBA Draft

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported Thursday that teams are hoping to acquire a top-four overall selection in the 2017 NBA draft in an effort to pick Kansas swingman Josh Jackson.

The draft will take place Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns currently hold the top four picks.

Jackson has been the subject of several rumors in recent days, as he was linked to the Celtics by ESPN's Chad Ford prior to their decision to trade the No. 1 pick to the Sixers for the No. 3 overall selection and a future first-rounder. 

Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher reported the Spurs were among the teams looking to trade up to get Jackson, and noted that Phoenix had a serious interest in Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge the last time the veteran big man hit free agency. 

Jackson didn't work out for the Celtics, though, saying it was too late to do so by the time they moved down to No. 3, per ESPN.com:

"They did a little bit of moving around with their pick. I felt like they made it pretty clear who they were going to draft with the No. 1 pick, so I didn't really feel like it was worth either of our times for me to work out with them. But then when they, you know, did the flip and went to No. 3, by then it was too late."

Following that news, Ford reported that Boston was "leaning" toward Duke forward Jayson Tatum with the third pick.

Per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls both have strong interest in Jackson. Shelburne also noted the Los Angeles Clippers have expressed interest. 

They would likely have to do some significant maneuvering in order to get him, though, as New York has the No. 8 pick, while Chicago will select 16th.

Jackson averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks per game during his only season with the Jayhawks.

He is a long, athletic player who excels at both ends of the floor, and if he can expand his shooting range at the NBA level, he undoubtedly has All-Star-level talent.