Does Rockets' Jalen Green Have Highest Ceiling?
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green had a very solid first year in 2021-22, averaging 17.3 points per game and earning All-Rookie honors. But he began to emerge as a star in the NBA last season as he averaged 22.1 points.
The Rockets have the seventh-youngest roster in the NBA, including six important pieces that are 22-years-old or under: Green (21 years old), Amen Thompson (20), Jabari Smith Jr. (20), Cam Whitmore (19), Tari Eason (22), Alperen Sengun (21).
Despite the rest of the young talent, Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey listed Green as the Rockets' highest-ceiling prospect.
"First, and perhaps most importantly, he appears to have the clearest path to lead ball-handler status of the group (though Thompson may have something to say about that)," Bleacher Report writes.
The list includes one player from every NBA team, but he said that the Rockets choice was "the toughest call" due to the plethora of young talent with a potentially high ceiling.
Another reason why Bleacher Report selected Green is due to his physique and how he uses it.
"Green has the size and skill to function at either guard spot, and he did so with a lot of success (at least on the offensive end) in 2022-23."
Bleacher Report mentioned that his three-point and free-throw percentages are "a bit of a concern," but his 22.1 points more than makes up for the shortcomings.
"(Green is) one of just 15 players in NBA history to average at least that many points and assists in an age-20 (or younger) campaign."
One can argue that Green's potential was held back last season, as he was practically forced to play point guard due to lack of depth. Now that Green has a point guard in offseason free agent signee Fred VanVleet, his ceiling should continue to rise at shooting guard, his natural position.
You can follow Hunter De Siver on Twitter @HunterDeSiver.
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