2021 NBA Draft — 2. Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
The Rockets found a gem in Kevin Porter Jr., who showed the flashes of a potential 20-point-per-game scorer last season. In the modern NBA, it’s hard to have too much wing shot-making. Enter Jalen Green, who could form an impressive two-pronged scoring attack in the Rockets’ backcourt.
Green spent last season with the G-League Ignite team, which means he was off the radar for a lot of people. Not NBA teams, of course, as many lined the stadiums to watch Green perform. At 6-foot-5, Green is an explosive athlete with great downhill scoring potential. The jumper is a work in progress, but he’s not short on confidence, and his high free-throw percentage is a positive indicator of growth potential.
With Christian Wood and Kelly Olynyk manning the frontcourt, the Rockets can look to form a well-rounded young team in the wake of James Harden’s departure. Green will not catapult Houston into contention as a rookie, but he has one of the highest ceilings in this draft, and fills a position of value in Houston.