The J-Notes
Fansided

Grading each Utah Jazz offseason decision thus far

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 and Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz react after game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 and Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz react after game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 10: Grayson Allen #24 of the Utah Jazz stands on the court during his team’s game against the Miami Heat during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 10: Grayson Allen #24 of the Utah Jazz stands on the court during his team’s game against the Miami Heat during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Drafting Grayson Allen

To the chagrin of one contingent of Jazz fans and to the joy of the other, the team opted to draft polarizing Duke alum Grayson Allen in this summer’s NBA Draft. The Jazz had several viable options at No. 21 but ultimately they went with the four-year combo guard.

Honestly, if Allen didn’t have the checkered past that he’s most well-known for, this move probably would have been received much better. However, the fact that Grayson is known for his attitude issues has made it a less than popular decision among the Utah faithful.

Although there’s a clear argument that the fault didn’t reside with him, he’s already been involved in two chippy incidents in Summer League, which haven’t helped his reputation any.

But that aside, Allen brings some good things to the table such as his grit, determination to win, hustle and, of course, his ability to hit the long-ball. In a lot of ways, Allen fits Utah’s mantra and fills several of their needs. Figure in the fact that he received the approval of Utah’s stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, and it’s hard to argue with the pick.

The draft is such a crap-shoot, particularly in the late first round, so time will tell whether or not he was the right selection for the Jazz. On paper, though, he makes a lot of sense. So while his attitude concerns affect the grade slightly, his overall skills and stamp of approval from Utah’s leading guys allows this decision to still pass with relatively high marks.

Grade – B

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