Cavs NBA Draft: Who has highest ceiling among Jalen Green, Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs?

Cavs: The ceiling of Jalen Green

Jalen Green made a daring choice when he decided to bypass college and head straight for the NBA’s G League to play with the G League Ignite squad for the 2020-21 campaign. At just 19 years old, Green averaged 17.9 points per contest, along with 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists as well. At 6-foot-4, Green plays with a type of bounce and speed that is not seen too often in players these days.

With a shooting percentage of 46.1 percent from the field in the G League bubble, coupled with a decent 36.5 percent clip from beyond the arc, the Ignite guard has incredible offensive potential in the NBA. Green can really score from just about anywhere, and is shaping up to be the best scorer in the 2021 NBA Draft class.

Jalen Green would be an instant enhancement to the offensive side of the ball for any team, especially the Cavaliers, who were last overall in scoring this past season. Regardless of whether Green would play off the bench behind Sexton, or take his place in the events of a potential trade, the Ignite rookie’s inclusion in Cleveland would be an instant success.

Jalen Green is clearly set to be a top 3 pick in this year’s NBA draft. Some even have him as their potential number 1 overall. It would still seem more likely that Cade Cunningham will eventually go #1 to the Detroit Pistons, but there are rumors that it’s not a complete sure thing. Those are draft trade rumors though, and there’s always plenty of smoke year-to-year.

With Green, either way, his talent and style of play has led some to compare him to the Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine. Green’s strengths do not stop at his scoring ability. Not only is the Ignite guard capable of getting buckets in a multitude of ways, he is also known for his quickness and athleticism.

Green has also found success as a shot creator with his keen ability to create space on the floor with his step-back. Jalen Green is set to be a bonafide star player in the league.

Green definitely needs to improve on the defensive side of the ball, and he needs to work on his playmaking abilities as well. Now while he is an excellent scorer, he needs to do better at creating more opportunities for the guys on the court. And as noted, defensively, he needs some work; often young guards do, though. But his frame is simply too thin to take on the NBA’s top guards.

While Jalen Green has been compared to Zach LaVine, he needs to be better. LaVine just made his All-Star debut this past season, after seven years. Seven years spent working on his playmaking, building up his then-smaller frame, and keeping a smart balance between offensive and defensive tempo. In my opinion, Green should take a page out of Sexton’s book and start bulking up during the offseason.

Overall, Green’s ceiling in the NBA is that of a potential All-Star-level guard on a starting lineup, but one of a superstar, even. If Cleveland takes Jalen Green with the third overall pick, they could always play him off the bench behind Sexton to start. Alternatively, Altman and the Cavs front office might also look to move on from Sexton, thus opening up a spot for Green in the starting lineup.

Lastly, Cleveland could also look to the Oklahoma City Thunder from the 2019-20 season, and run a three-guard lineup often. In an era of basketball that has strayed away from its specific positions, a lineup of Garland, Sexton and Green could be a lethal and effective trio.

In the end, I believe Jalen Green has the highest ceiling of the three prospects discussed today, both overall in the league, as well as with the Cavaliers specifically. He looks to have superstar written all over him.

Jalen Green overall NBA ceiling: Superstar-level guard

Jalen Green Cavs ceiling: Superstar-level starting guard in a three-guard lineup alongside Garland and Sexton often

In my opinion, although Suggs is a solid player with a bevy of potential, Cleveland should focus their sights on one of either Mobley or Green.

While Green edged out Mobley for the highest ceiling, the power forward/center out of USC is still undoubtedly one of the best players in this draft class. Cleveland could have a generational talent on their hands with either of those guys.