Toronto Raptors: 3 reasons Jalen Green should be the pick at No. 4

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 18: Jalen Green #4 of the G League Ignite passes around Louis King #2 of the Westchester Kicks during a G-League game against the Westchester Knicks at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on February 18, 2021 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /

1. Scoring Ability

Green could be by the best scorer in the draft at the guard position. The scary part about it? He’s a true 3-level scorer that is nowhere close to his ceiling yet. From beyond the arc, at the rim, or in between both, Green can get buckets when called upon. In his lone season for the G-League Ignite, Green averaged 17.9 PPG on 46% from the field, and 37% from 3.

Green has the ability to create his own shot and has the confidence to pull up from anywhere on the court, something you love to see from an offensive stud like Green.

Having a scoring threat like Green is crucial to help close out games down the stretch, especially in the playoffs. The Raptors have struggled to find a “true” closer the last two seasons, and it’s cost them a handful of games. Green could almost certainly fill that void if the Raptors are lucky enough to select him.

Jalen Green can bring the best out of the Toronto Raptors

Since the departure of Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam has taken over as the team’s first option for the past 2 seasons. As expected, Siakam’s scorimg went up, but his field goal percentage took a significant regression.

Siakam is at his best when he isn’t relied on to be the team’s primary scorer. When opposing teams had to focus on Kawhi, Siakam thrived as the team’s second option en route to the franchise’s first NBA Championship.

Green can help bring back that same Siakam. If Green develops into the elite 3-level scorer that he has all the potential in the world 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.

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