Chicago Bulls Draft Big Board – No. 4: Jalen Green, G-League Ignite
Jalen Green opted to join the G-League Ignite in the NBA’s developmental league instead of playing at the college level. There he got to play against players the NBA is more familiar with and connected to while also learning from people that know the league.
It’s early in the process of the Ignite but it makes a ton of sense that in some ways a player like Green could be a step ahead of most players he is drafted alongside. Green was coached by former NBA player and head coach Brian Shaw.
With it being the NBA’s first year offering players this new path to the league it’s obvious they gave him and others a lot of knowledge both on and off the court. Oh, and he did not disappoint on the court.
Green displayed the ability to score the ball at a high level while also being a capable defender on the other side. Plus, he has all the physical tools to improve his game on both ends in the coming years.
A six-foot-five guard that’s an explosive athlete, Green isn’t the most natural fit next to Zach LaVine. Since Green is still just 19 years old and has one of the highest ceilings in this year’s draft class the Bulls should overlook the immediate fit despite winning being their current goal.
Green could play a sixth man type role early in his career and learn from LaVine and other veterans. If he tightens up his handle he could eventually see plenty of minutes in lineups that also feature LaVine.
It would actually work in the short term better than most would think because the Bulls could then focus more on defense. Green would be the spark off the bench and scorer that leads the bench immediately.
Not only that, he brings star upside. That is what wins in the NBA and the Bulls would not be able to pass on him if they picked at number four overall. Few players enter the league with his scoring ability.
Green averaged 17.9 points per game for the Ignite while shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from behind the arc.