Next up in our annual NBA draft prospect profile series Intentions examines Jalen Green with a view to his fit with the OKC Thunder.
All season there have been a handful of prospects separated in the upper tier with Green among that quintet. However, his placement is on the rise as the draft draws nearer. Each of the franchises possessing a pick in the top four has cited their interest in the G-League Ignite shooting guard.
Those rumors are no longer whispers with many analysts projecting Green will be selected no worse than second and even Troy Weaver in Detroit is said to covet the young star.
Let’s dive into how the California native rose up the ranks and why he has everyone buzzing about his long term potential.
OKC Thunder draft profile preview for Jalen Green :
Specifics:
- Height: 6’5″
- Weight: 180 pounds
- Wingspan: 6’7.5
- Standing Reach: 8’5
- Position: Shooting Guard
- Birthdate/Age: February 9, 2002, 19 years
- G-League: Ignite
- Stat line: 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals
- Home Town: Merced, California
Box Score Statistics:
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/9/2021.
Current Ranking:
As noted, Green is experiencing the greatest uprise among the five players considered in that top group. Review the mock drafts from a month ago and you’ll discover most pegged the guard fourth but the most recent mocks have him predominantly positioned second with the Houston Rockets committed to finding a new shooting guard with star potential.
- The Ringer: 2nd
- NBA DraftNet: 4th
- ESPN: 2nd
- CBS Sports: 2nd
- NBA: 4th
- Sports Illustrated: 3rd
- Bleacher Report: 2nd
- FanSided The Step Back: 5th
With that let’s dive a little deeper into Green to determine his strengths and weaknesses.
Jalen Green strengths and weaknesses
Strengths:
One factor which helped Green’s stock rise was he played in the G-League this season instead of college. While fellow prospect was exposed for his age and inexperience Green excelled at facing other players who are already in the association.
At just 19 years old and not 20 until next February, Green’s ceiling and growth potential are untapped. What makes him so exciting is his athleticism and offensive potential. For the moment his speed driving the paint, getting out in transition, and zooming in from the wings for massive dunks are why the buzz around him grew.
Yet, there are other elements of his game that are well ahead of most of his college counterparts. He possesses the ability to pull up in transition to drain the 3-ball and has a fluid shot from every area of the court. Although he can improve upon his ball-handling he’s mastered a nice crossover, can function in the pick and roll, and maneuver in close to outsmart bigger defenders at the rim.
Playing in the G-League provided other advantages that give him a leg up on his college cohorts. Specifically, he’s already very familiar with how NBA varsity defenses work as G-League affiliates emulate their franchise systems.
While Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, and Jalen Suggs are all earmarked to have franchise-changing potential many believe Green could be the player in five years who becomes a superstar based on his electric athleticism and offensive skills.
Weaknesses:
With news the Rockets are set on targeting Green it feels like a great fit particularly with Stephen Silas at the helm. With D’Antoni gone the system of playing with constant pace and getting up multiple shots isn’t the mandate.
That bodes well for Green especially since the one area of offense that he needs to tweak is learning how to adapt to different paces. Not every play can be full out 100 miles an hour so Silas and the Rockets working with him to get his offensive skills to work in the half-court or in their system will be invaluable. Having John Wall to help him gain accuracy and variety in his passes and playmaking will also be a welcome benefit.
Again, he’s only 19 so this isn’t unexpected and in some ways, he’s ahead of his college peers because he’s already adapted to the NBA pace in the G-League.
Like many rookies, the main area he’ll need to work on is the defensive end. Time in the weight room is essential as is his commitment and focus to defending.
Pro Comparison:
If you’re wondering what all the buzz is about the fact Kevin O’Connor’s comparison for Green includes Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal should explain why. Other players cited as possible doppelgangers are Malik Monk and Eddie Jones.
Green adapted quickly to the G-League as one of the most exciting young stars and given his age there is good reason to believe in the hype.
OKC Thunder fit:
While Intentions noted how Sam Presti could negotiate a package to move up for Cade Cunningham the same could be said for Green. I’d say it’s far less likely the OKC Thunder magician would be invested in giving up numerous picks to get Green though (although I have no solid confirmation that’s the case).
Nor would it seem likely Rafael Stone would be moved to swap picks or take a package since he’s likely feeling the pressure to get the Rockets back in the postseason quickly. Plus there is the matter of finding another shooting guard given that bearded man left town.
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
All of this to say it’s just not likely Jalen Green would wind up in Oklahoma City. If something strange happened to change that dynamic you won’t find us saying it’s a bad idea.
A backcourt featuring Green and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would be intriguing. Think of the versatility of SGA utilizing his change of pace dribble drives and Green slamming it down opponent’s throats.
The issue of course would be playmaking since SGA is still considered more of a shooting guard than a point guard and Green needs to develop his playmaking. At 19 though he definitely fits the timeline and his passing and playmaking can be developed.
Plus, with the positionless scheme, Mark Daigneault utilizes it’s conceivable the goal is to develop everyone on the roster into above-average playmakers taking the onus off any one individual.
Ultimately, I’ll come back to the fact I don’t envision Presti giving up the farm to land Green as he might consider for Cunningham. Also with the Rockets deadset on selecting Green, it’s almost conceivable they would want more than the Pistons would to shift for Cunningham.