Tennessee guard, Jaden Springer is the next player Intentions examines in our annual OKC Thunder prospect profile series.
The 18-year-old guard is one of the prospects mentioned that could land in Oklahoma City with the club’s 18th selection.
Springer is among the many guards available in the 2021 class who possesses playmaking chops and brings energy and effort on the defensive end.
OKC Thunder draft prospect profile for Jaden Springer:
Specifics:
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 204 pounds
- Wingspan: 6’6
- Position: Guard
- Birthdate/Age: September 25th, 2002 18 years
- College: Tennessee, freshman
- Stat line: 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals
- Home Town: Charlotte, North Carolina
Box Score Statistics:
| Season | G | MP | FGA | FG% | 2PA | 2P% | 3PA | 3P% | FTA | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 25 | 25.9 | 9.1 | .467 | 7.2 | .475 | 1.8 | .435 | 4.0 | .810 | 3.5 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 12.5 |
Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 7/16/2021.
Current Ranking:
- The Ringer: 20th
- NBA DraftNet: 22nd
- ESPN: 27th
- CBS Sports: 22nd
- NBA: 26th
- Bleacher Report: 18th
- FanSided The Step Back: 12th
With that let’s dive a little deeper into Jaden Springer to determine his strengths and weaknesses.
Jaden Springer strengths and weaknesses
Strengths:
The young Tennessee guard provides energy and grit when he hits the court and while he doesn’t necessarily excel in any one offensive area he delivers checkmarks as adequate in most categories.
With a concerted effort to developing he could blossom into a reserve role as a glue guy. Unlike Sharife Cooper for example he invites contact and will aggressively attack the paint to score.
While he doesn’t attempt many perimeter shots (1.8) he completed them efficiently shooting 43.5 percent. He’s also an efficient free throw shooter (81 percent). Perhaps his drafting team can convince him to attempt more 3-point shots since the mechanics are fine.
Where Springer shines is on the defensive side of the hardwood. Energy, focus, communication, and grit are all commonly on display. He gets in the grill of opponents and displayed a knack for blocking shots, getting steals, and forcing turnovers. Springer doesn’t shy away from defending larger opponents.
Weaknesses:
As per above, offensively Springer doesn’t showcase any single elite skillset. He’s capable of doing everything but it would be good for him if he could grow into a solid perimeter shooter or add a few go-to scoring moves.
If he doesn’t he’s likely sealing his fate to become a reserve contributor for his career. His physical frame and lack of explosiveness may limit what position he plays as he’s not large enough to play at forward and not skilled enough to run the offense at the point. Turning the ball over 2.4 times per game compared to 2.9 assists speaks to these limitations.
This fact was compounded by his inability to create his own shot and struggles running the pick and roll or connecting from the mid-range. Nor could you call him a selfish player as his preference (even when open) is to pass up shots to teammates.
Pro Comparison:
After going through Springer’s weaknesses it might have fans thinking – PASS- but then consider the NBA players cited by analysts he compares to – – Kyle Lowry, Malcolm Brogdon, Jerryd Bayless, and Marcus Smart.
It’s clear the pundits were probably thinking of defense with these talents but it also speaks to where Springer could grow into if he dedicates time in the lab.
OKC Thunder fit:
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Ultimately, he doesn’t project to be a star yet his strong work ethic, consistency, efficiency, and scrappy defense bode well for him to develop into a core bench contributor. No one thought Brogdon would win Rookie of the Year and both Lowry and Smart have redefined what it means to be a scrappy defensive guard.
In the right system and with dedication Springer should aim to evolve into that type of contributor. With his high efficiency rate from behind the arc, his best bet might be to try to emulate a combination of Smart and Norman Powell.
While the Thunder would welcome his defense they already have a player in Kenrich Williams who provides the defensive scrappiness and is better across the board in every category. Nor does Springer fit the positionless system Mark Daigneault runs.