Cade Cunningham, barring some very unforeseen changes prior to next week's NBA Draft, will be the No. 1 overall pick. There's a whole lot of good reason behind that, too, but we're not going to go over that here. That's because we're talking about a different prospect in this article — one who could very well be a better NBA player than Cunningham when it's all said and done. And according to one NBA scout, it won't take him very long to ascend to the elite tier of NBA stardom.
Listen to sports talk now on Audacy and shop the latest NBA team gear
In CBB writer Seth Davis's compilation of scouts' breakdowns of the top 50 NBA Draft prospects, there were a lot of interesting insights into the future names of the NBA, both good and bad, but perhaps none that was quite as eyebrow-raising as one scout's view of Jalen Green. The G-League star is guaranteed to be a top-five pick, almost a lock to go in the top three and was our choice to go No. 2 to the Houston Rockets in our ultimate, expert-filled mock draft.
Related
Here's what the anonymous scout had to say about Green in Davis's great writeup:
I could see him leading the league in scoring in a couple of years. He’s a highlight tape waiting to happen. His playmaking for others has to improve. He’s not a point guard who can facilitate — he’s more of a wing. He’s in the gym, he wants to get better. The sky’s the limit for this kid. My biggest question is how quickly can he get to a point where he understands how to play? He needs to learn to harness that athletic ability. He’s got that Zach LaVine, Bradley Beal stuff in his game. He’s thin now but he’ll get stronger.
Leading the league in scoring in a couple of years and not the number one pick? Perhaps it'll be a case of Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, when KD went No. 2 overall and was the league's highest scorer in just his third season — but we are praying, and nearly 100 percent sure, that Cunningham won't have the same NBA turnout as Oden.
There's also the possibility that the Rockets pass on Green and go with Evan Mobley or Jalen Suggs, or trade the pick down altogether to a hungry team willing to sacrifice a boatload of assets. Nothing is out of the question, and that goes for other potential Jalen Green landing spots. If he's still there at No. 3, does that provide more incentive for the Cavaliers to trade Collin Sexton? Is there any chance he's available at No. 4 when Toronto is on the clock?
Whatever the case, the hype is high, and this one scout's expectations are even higher. Even if Cunningham goes first, Green might truly be the 2021 NBA Draft prospect who makes the biggest waves.
Green averaged 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game on .461/.365/.829 shooting in 15 G-League games in the 2020-21 season, not including the above standout playoff performance.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram