Josh Green is a 3-and-D Project to Replace Jrue Holiday on the New Orleans Pelicans

Josh Green’s Strengths

Green projects to be an NBA ready defender who will be able to knock down the open shot if defenses don’t rotate fast enough.

A New Orlean Pelicans’ team whose reserves are streaky at best could use the traits Green possesses to raise the floor of that group.

With 2.6 assists per game, he’s a smart player who often makes the right pass and puts his teammates in position to score. Green also limits turnovers to just 1.6 per game; combined that’s a 1.59 Assist to Turnover ratio.

As you saw in the video, Green is always moving when he does not have the ball, something Pelicans’ fans have gotten very used to seeing this season while watching J.J. Redick.

By moving that much the defense always has to be aware of where Green is or risk an open layup or three.

If drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans, Green would get to improve his shooting technique under assistant coach Fred Vinson, whose work with Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram has been praised all season.

Green shot 36.1% from three in his lone college season on 2.8 three-point attempts per game.

His defense will be his calling card as he joins the league, says Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer:

"Energetic on-ball defender with good footwork and anticipatory skills, mirroring movements of his opponent. Versatility to switch on screens with the combination of lateral quickness against guards and strength against larger wings. Energetic off-ball defender who stays engaged and rotates well; he’s a smart helper who will disrupt plays and rack up deflections and steals."

A long, athletic, switchable wing is just what the New Orleans Pelicans will need to replace Jrue Holiday in the future.

With Green’s fast hands on defense he’ll come away with more than his fair share of steals and pass deflections. Paired next to Lonzo, New Orleans would continue to have one of the best defensive backcourts in the NBA.

While not being the best free throw shooter, Green does get to the line fairly often and getting the other team in foul trouble is never a bad thing.

All together the New Orleans Pelicans would be drafting a smart defensive player with a jump shot that could get much better and is only five months older than Zion Williamson.

Green has a lot of qualities that would benefit the Pelicans, but he has a few weaknesses as well.