2021 NBA Draft: Jaden Springer, The Smooth Operator

NBA Draft prospect Jaden Springer’s Defense

The biggest reason for my optimism in Springer’s upside though, while his offensive skill set is versatile and impressive, it’s what he can do on the defensive end of the floor that might be the most promising. As with his passing abilities, I think Springer gets way overlooked for how good of a defender he is sporting a 93.1 defensive rating this season, and could see him developing into one of the better perimeter defenders from this class.

Some make out the defensive side of basketball as simplistic and easy, but there is an art to becoming a great defender and not a lot of players have the desire or want to be great defensively. I don’t think either one of the latter is an issue for Springer, who said the following in that same 2018 USA Today piece about how he views defense.

"“Not a lot of people like to play defense, but defense is fun to me… I don’t want anybody to score on me. I feel like that makes me look bad.”"

That’s music to the ears of any coach or should be, especially when it’s coming from a guy who can be your best offensive player as well. Springer has all the physical tools to be a great defender, he’s got good lateral quickness combined with the size to probably guard three positions. But it’s his mindset and attention to the nuanced fundamentals of playing good defense that is most impressive about the young guard. He checks all the boxes you look for by keeping a low stance, shuffling his feet, and most importantly showing awareness of the floor.

Springer’s on-ball defense is smothering, he’s a pest in the best possible way and has the track record to prove it. After watching several of Tennessee’s games, I watched Springer go against other draft prospects like LSU’s Cameron Thomas, Kentucky’s Brandon Boston Jr., and Kansas’ Ochai Agbaji.

The three of them shot a combined 14-50 (28%) from the field and 3-23 (13%) from beyond the arc in those four games against Springer. He’s great at taking space away from a ball-handler or scorer, staying attached to their lead hip, and makes them work for positioning. If you don’t match his effort, Springer can easily overwhelm whoever he’s guarding. Thomas who might be one of the best shot-makers in this upcoming draft gets completely shut down by Springer on the following play because of this.

The awareness might show up most when Springer is defending off the ball, another facet of the game where his basketball IQ shines. He keeps his head on a swivel and doesn’t lose his responsibility and can recognize switches with ease, something that elevates his entire team’s defense. Blocks and steals are great, but what really stands out to me is when a player can read an opposing team’s plays before they happen. That kind of recognition goes back to what I was talking about earlier in regards to not every player having the desire to pay attention to the details it requires to become an elite defender.

Even if he isn’t as talented offensively as I believe he is and let’s say he never develops into a player like Roy on that end, what Springer brings to the table defensively should have him finding a place in the NBA for years to come. At worst, you get a hell of a 3-and-D role player, or best-case scenario, you get Brandon Roy with better defense. That’s at least the kind of big picture view I have of Springer as a prospect and is why I’d be comfortable taking him in the top five or ten selections because his ceiling is sky-high and if he doesn’t reach it, well the landing is pretty soft.

Probably the best aspect of Springer’s defensive value is his ability to turn defense into offense. It’s one thing to shut down your man, but the very elite of elite defenders make their opposition pay for the mistakes they make. Springer does that often and while he’s proficient in the half-court with his scoring, handling, and playmaking, he also excels the faster the game gets in the open floor. He’s got good speed when he gets out and runs on the break, filling lanes where needed, and most importantly again, does a phenomenal job of turning mistakes into easy points.

I’m like the Redditer’s with their GameStop stock when it comes to Springer and my belief in what he can grow into as an NBA player. Some see a prospect who’s limited offensively and has the makeup of your traditional 3-and-D role player. But I see a cerebral, calculated, well beyond his years offensive player who is only improving and someone who at the same time can guard the opposing team’s best player. Players that can potentially average 20, 5, and 5 while also being your best defender don’t just grow on trees and that’s why I value Springer so highly.

Above all of his skills though, the reason I buy so much into Jaden Springer the player is because I believe so much in Jaden Springer the human being.

"“He’s a better person than a basketball player,” Moseley said. “He’s a great kid. He doesn’t walk around the building looking for special attention or special treatment. One day, the principal asked him and another player to help do something and they instantly stopped and did it.”"

Potential stars with that mentality are a rarity and an enormous commodity if you’re able to obtain one of them. Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, and Jalen Suggs have made themselves the clear top tier of the 2021 NBA Draft. But when discussing that next second tier of prospects, Jaden Springer’s name should be at the top of the list as a player NBA franchises should want to bet on and build around.