After riding the pine during recent contests, Utah Jazz rookie Grayson Allen finally got the chance to show out with the G-League’s Salt Lake City Stars.
Guaranteed contracts aside, the life of late first-round picks in the NBA can be a bit of a slog relative to their lottery brethren. Said players may have security that the second-rounders, undrafted guys and journeymen don’t have, but they’re often fighting for that same chance to prove themselves. Case in point: Utah Jazz rookie Grayson Allen.
Although the Jazz have won three of their last five games and could be on the cusp of a turnaround, Allen’s individual progress has been stymied by three straight DNPs. With the Jazz needing wins and Ricky Rubio, Donovan Mitchell, Dante Exum and Raul Neto all ahead of him, there just hasn’t been much of an opportunity for the former Duke star to get out on the hardwood.
That’s what made his Monday night so valuable.
The Jazz assigned Allen and big man Georges Niang to the G-League’s Salt Lake City Stars on Monday; just in time for the team’s home bout with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. And after riding the pine for most of Utah’s current run, the two took advantage of some much-needed court time.
In 36 minutes of play, Allen scored a game-high 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Not bad for his first-ever taste of G-League action.
Niang, meanwhile, notched 18 points of his own and added eight boards and seven assists.
One day later, both players were recalled by the Jazz in time for the team’s showdown with the San Antonio Spurs. Brief though it was, however, their night in the G-League was absolutely time well spent. Particularly in Allen’s case.
Allen may have been one of the best-known college players of the last decade-plus, but his swag meter was reset back to zero once he laced up the hi-tops in the Association. Sure, he’s shown flashes of the skill and athleticism that prompted the Jazz to draft him No. 21 overall last June, but he’s mostly gotten his head kicked in.
Over 14 appearances with the Jazz, he’s shot under 35 percent from the floor, 29 percent from distance and 70 percent from the line. Also — he’s not logging any rebounds, assists, steals or blocks and his net rating, VORP, box plus/minus and win share scores are all negative.
His quick jaunt with the Stars won’t just provide valuable experience, but the all-important confidence that he can still do the things that made him a star for Coach K and the Blue Devils.
Given the Stars’ proximity to their parent club, look for players like Allen and Niang to continue to shuttle back and forth when off days afford them the chance to get in a game or an extra practice session with the developmental squad.
Not only does it allow them to show out against G-League competition, but it also brings them just a little bit closer to doing the same thing at the next level.