With the 21st pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz acquired Duke’s Grayson Allen. Here are some reasons to be bullish on the pick.
It’s official — Grayson Allen is the newest member of the Utah Jazz. And while he may not have been the most hyped or most physically gifted player in the 2018 NBA Draft class, he was certainly one of the most well-known.
After all, he helped the Duke Blue Devils capture the NCAA title in 2015 and wrapped up his college career last spring as one of the best players in the national hoops powerhouse’s illustrious history.
However, part of Allen’s notoriety comes because of some regrettable on-court antics. Specifically, multiple instances of intentionally tripping opposing players and instigating unnecessary conflict during games.
Even Jazz star Donovan Mitchell was once prompted to do this to Allen in response to his future teammate’s shenanigans —
Shout out by Donovan Mitchell to all of those who have been tripped by Grayson Allen #L1C4 #BeatDuke #GraysonLickMyComment pic.twitter.com/53kaFhBuTF
— Brett Mathis (@BBMathis) January 14, 2017
Between that and the fact that Allen was a four-year college player and one of the draft’s oldest prospects (which can mean limited upside potential), detractors of Utah’s pick at No. 21 seemingly equal the number of those in favor of it.
Nevertheless, our own John Keeffer thinks that Allen will make believers of us all. And I happen to think the former Blue Devil has the tools to make it happen.
Here are five reasons the Allen-Jazz partnership will be a successful one…