Jalen Green is set to make a huge splash entering the 2021 NBA Draft as a projected top-three pick. The freakishly athletic young stud from the G League Ignite program is arguably the best long-term prospect among this loaded draft class and has the potential to instantly upgrade any team and be a cornerstone for that franchise moving forward.
Green, who naturally plays at the two spot, is great going downhill and has a silky smooth jumper to boot. The 19-year-old balled out against professionals in his one-year stint for Ignite, averaging 17.9 points per game on 46.1% shooting while doing a little of everything for head coach Brian Shaw.
There aren't a lot of prospects in the upcoming draft who seems to be more ready than the young Filipino-American. Let's take a look at the three best destinations for Jalen Green in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers is a perfect example of a team building a young core – which should be perfect for Green. Cleveland lucked out and landed the third pick which gives them a slight window in possibly acquiring the Fresno native. Right now, the Cavs are going with their young backcourt duo in Collin Sexton and Darius Garland which, at the onset, might be a terrible fit for Green. An offensive-minded player like Green would have a tough time coming into a roster with multiple scoring guards like Sexton and Garland. But, the rumor mill has been spinning like crazy in Cleveland and it seems that Sexton, the team's leading scorer, might be on his way out this summer. Sorry, SexLand fans.
If Sexton does end up switching teams, then Green being snagged by the Cavs at the third spot should be a win-win scenario for both camps. Assuming Sexton does get traded, Cleveland should expect a good amount of talent in return which could complement a young Jalen Green. If they can get a couple of young pieces in return, then the Cavs will be looking at a bright young core with a 19-year-old at the forefront.
This potential young team might not make it to the playoffs right away but in a few years, this team will be hella scary.
Toronto Raptors
If there's one franchise that needs a good shake-up, it's definitely the Toronto Raptors. After winning the 2019 title, the Raps spiraled out of playoff contention these past few seasons while they look for someone to bring some oomph to their line-up. Jalen Green could be that spark that could ignite things for Toronto.
The Raptors will be very lucky to see Green's name available at the fourth spot. And, if that happens, they should immediately pull the trigger. A young, talented offensive weapon would be a great piece to add to Nick Nurse's roster. Though he wouldn't be a superstar right away, being alongside players like Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby would be huge for him. Given that his defense is seemingly the part of his game that he needs to work on the most, learning the ropes from veteran guards like Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet would be nothing but beneficial to Green's journey in the league.
Green's youth and energy instantly boost the Raptors' playoff hopes this coming season as they try to forget their dreadful 2021-2022 campaign.
Houston Rockets
The best (and most probable) destination for someone like Jalen Green would be the Houston Rockets. With Cade Cunningham going to the Detroit Pistons as the consensus first overall pick, Green will likely be snagged at the second spot by the Rockets. And that, would be perfect. Though Houston has toyed with the idea of possibly grabbing a young big like Evan Mobley, the overlap in terms of position and talent between him and Christian Wood might be problematic moving forward. A young scorer like Green though, on the other hand, would fit like a glove.
Green would be immediately infused in a high-octane offense led by John Wall and Kevin Porter, Jr. And, as we've seen in the G League bubble this year, this is where he can do some damage. A backcourt pair of Green and Porter is as lethal as it gets. In addition, getting guidance from someone like Wall should benefit all parties involved. Defensively, this team might have holes, but offensively, this could be one of the more exciting young teams to watch this season with Jalen Green in the leading the pack.
“With the number two pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets select Jalen Green from the G League Ignite”.
It already has a ring to it, doesn't it?
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