Utah Jazz NBA Draft Prospects: Josh Green
Nov 11, 2020, 3:12 PM | Updated: Nov 12, 2020, 11:22 am
Arizona wing Josh Green (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The NBA Draft is one week away and the Utah Jazz will soon find themselves on the board with the 23rd pick in the draft. While question marks remain about who will be available when the Jazz are selecting, a trio of talented freshman from Arizona are expected to be drafted between the end of the lottery and the early second round. Today, we look at Arizona’s freshman wing Josh Green and how he would fit with the Jazz in the draft.
The Jazz own just one pick in the November 18 draft after sending out their second-round pick in a trade to acquire Kyle Korver in 2018.
Josh Green: 6’6 210 lbs Wing – Fr – Arizona
12 points, 4.6 rebounds 2.6 assists, 42% FG/36% 3p/78% FT
Pros:
In a league looking for long, athletic, perimeter shooters, Josh Green is an easily projectable draft prospect. At 6’6 with a 6’10 wingspan, Green looks the part of the prototypical rotational NBA wing.
When Green was on the floor at Arizona, he appeared comfortable positioning himself to space the floor, attacking overly aggressive closeouts, and doing enough rebounding and playmaking to avoid being just a shooter on the offensive side of the ball.
Green connected on just 42 percent of his shots from the floor and 36 percent of his three-point shots, but there is the belief that those numbers will improve as the freshman spends more time playing against high-level competition.
NBA Prospect Play of the Day: Arizona's Josh Green is one of the better 'sit and slide' defenders in the draft. Great feet, technique and activity both in 1 on 1 situations and closeouts. Projects as a multi-positional defender at the next level. pic.twitter.com/EDqCFueA3a
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 6, 2020
Defensively, Green has the size, athleticism, and frame to project as a versatile defender as he advances into his NBA career. He shows the ability to stick with his man in isolation situations and recovers well as a closeout defender.
Perhaps Green’s best attribute is that there are lots of players like him already at the NBA level. While that may seem like a drawback, it makes him a relatively safe option for teams who want to add a role player at the end of the first round.
Cons:
While Green was relatively reliable for a freshman at the college level, he rarely wowed those who watched him at Arizona. As a result, there were very few eye-popping moments that led to high upside projections that have allowed similar prospects like Tyler Herro and Devin Booker to breakout at the next level.
Additionally, while Green has a pure shot, he wasn’t truly a knockdown shooter as a freshman connecting on just 36 percent of his three-point shots. His jump shot is by no means broken, but he lacks the consistent form that has allowed other PAC-12 players like Klay Thompson and Kevin Martin to reach the upper echelon as shooters in the NBA.
New on ESPN YouTube: Josh Green Virtual Film Session. Breaking down film with the potential top-20 pick out of Arizona. Green is one of the best on and off-ball defenders in the draft at 6-6 with a 6-10 wingspan. https://t.co/oTwfU6RO4j pic.twitter.com/MDWOLFcsen
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) July 3, 2020
Green is a strong defender but wasn’t always tasked with matching up against the opposition’s best offensive player. He may develop that reputation in the NBA, but he won’t be a day one defender a la Arizona State’s Lu Dort.
Again, it’s easy to project Green as an NBA player, and for many teams that is plenty when drafting at the end of the first round. However, compared to other wings, he may lack the upside or elite individual skill that allows him to take a leap beyond a journeyman in the NBA.
How Would Green Fit with the Jazz in the Draft?
Much of Green’s success in the NBA will be reliant on his three-point shooting which could be greatly improved in Quin Snyder’s offense. Between Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, and Bojan Bogdanovic, the Jazz have several gravitational pieces that should free up open looks for a player like Green on offense.
Defensively, Green would assume some of the role currently filled by Royce O’Neale, matchup up with the opposing teams better offensive perimeter options, though Green possesses better natural athleticism than O’Neale entering the league.
"Josh Green slams it home for two!" – @catspbp #APlayersProgram #BearDown pic.twitter.com/oR417r9n0t
— Arizona Basketball (@APlayersProgram) February 7, 2020
Green hasn’t proven to be much of a playmaker yet in his young career, though his 2.6 assist per game average is higher than comparable wings like Aaron Nesmith in the second half of the first round.
Ultimately Green looks like the type of player should fit seamlessly with most rosters as a role player and the Jazz could benefit from his shooting potential and length on defense.
Additional Prospect Breakdowns:
