2. The Jazz believe in Grayson Allen
Prior to the 2018 NBA Draft, the Jazz had two draft picks — the 21st overall selection, and the 52nd. They ended up trading the latter pick (Vince Edwards) to the Houston Rockets, but did use their first round pick on a player that tripped some people up.
Kidding aside, there was more than met the eye initially:
The Utah Jazz officially take Duke’s Grayson Allen at No. 21 in the NBA Draft. Jazz coach Quin Snyder and assistant coach Antonio Lang are both Duke alumni. It makes sense. #TakeNote
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) June 22, 2018
Besides the Blue Devils connection, Grayson Allen is a talented player, and that was on full display during NBA Summer League action:
https://twitter.com/NBAUK/status/1017102470395260928
His path to playing time isn’t as clear-cut as it normally is for a first round pick. As touched on earlier, the Jazz re-signed Dante Exum, who will take around 20 minutes of playing time, and while Royce O’Neale‘s contract is non-guaranteed, he will take up a similar amount of playing time. Even Raul Neto figures to take some of the minutes available off the bench. That leaves few minutes for the college veteran.
The Jazz passed on other “sure” prospects in favor of Allen. He’s a better athlete and facilitator than most give him credit for though, and Donovan Mitchell likes him. Quin Snyder will figure out a way.