2. Jalen Green, SG, G League Ignite
Arguably the most electrifying prospect in this draft, Jalen Green’s athleticism is like none other. He’s the best scorer in the draft by a good margin. He creates his own shot and is able to score from anywhere on the court making him a true 3-level scorer.
Athleticism is something that can’t be coached into a player, which is a reason why any team would love to add Green. He arguably has the highest ceiling in the draft, and his scoring ability is something teams can’t ignore.
Standing at 6-5 and 180 pounds, Jalen Green is a pure shooting guard. If Jalen Green wants to become a versatile wing that can play multiple positions, he has to add some weight for that to happen.
Toronto Raptors draft: Why Jalen Green over Evan Mobley?
Many Raptors fans are infatuated with Mobley and for good reason. Mobley is a fantastic prospect and the Raptors have struggled mightily this season, predominantly at the center position. On paper, it seems like a no-brainer decision to take Mobley and immediately slot him at the 5. However, Green may be the better pick for both the present and the future.
The NBA is starting to move away from the center position. Not that the center position is useless, but they are less valued in the modern era. In fact, the Raptors may not need an elite center. Since the addition of Khem Birch and Freddie Gillespie, the Raptors have improved their rebounding woes and just look way better out there when they have a capable center.
Green is exactly who the Raptors need. He’s the closer that the Raptors have been lacking the last two seasons, and if Green reaches his ceiling, he’s someone that can average 25 points effortlessly. Considering the Raptors’ track record, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Green reach his full potential under the Raptors development system.
Jalen Green can bring the best out of Pascal Siakam
Since the departure of Leonard, Siakam has taken over as the team’s first option for the past 2 seasons. Though his PPG average has gone up, his field goal percentage has dropped about 10% since the 2018-19 season. When opposing teams had to focus on Kawhi, Siakam thrived as the team’s second option on route to the franchise’s first NBA Championship.
Jalen Green can help bring back that same Siakam. If Green develops into the elite 3-level scorer that he has the potential to become, then teams will have to turn their focus to him on defense. Green’s presence on the floor allows Siakam to go to work on likely the team’s second or third best defender when all the attention is on Green.