Utah Jazz: Best and worst-case scenarios for rookie Grayson Allen

Rookie Grayson Allen will look to come in and provide immediate scoring off the bench, which in turn will help the Utah Jazz win games.

The Utah Jazz selected Grayson Allen in the first round at No. 21 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. At 22 years old, Allen was the first senior taken off the board and the fourth Duke Blue Devil to be drafted.

At Duke, Allen averaged 14.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, while shooting 38 percent from 3-point range.

As a freshman, Allen was a part of the Blue Devils’ NCAA championship team. Though he only averaged 9.2 minutes a game during the season, he stepped it up once March rolled around, scored 16 points in the championship game and earned NCAA All-Tournament honors.

His best statistical season came the following year as a sophomore, when he averaged 21.6 points and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 41.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Known for his ability to score, as well as his controversial tripping incidents, Allen’s college career featured a roller coaster of emotions.

Now a part of the Jazz, he will look to hone in on a new chapter and show the Jazz he is ready to make an impact.

Allen is a tantalizing prospect that comes with a wide range of potential outcomes. Let’s examine the best- and worst-case scenarios for the rookie.

Best-case scenario

Allen establishes his presence from the get-go this upcoming season, scoring in bunches off the bench. Every time he gets into the game, he has a positive impact on the offense and quickly gets the reputation of a “bucket getter” and a high-volume scorer.

He averages double-digits in the scoring column this season, playing a pivotal sixth man role for a team with aspirations of contending in the West. He continues to develop, becoming a capable defender and a willing passer, and eventually works his way into the starting lineup within a couple years as one of the team’s cornerstones.

Allen averages anywhere between 16-20 points per game and chips in assists and steals. He uses his athleticism to score in a variety of ways and get to the spots he wants on the court. In addition to his talent, he becomes a leader resulting from his passion for the game and competitive edge on the court. Along with guard Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz backcourt is set for years to come.

Worst-case scenario

Allen’s size makes him a liability on the defensive end. He struggles to create separation at the point of attack with the ball in his hands, forcing him to become more of a one-dimensional player. He is effective off the bench as a shooter and a scorer, but falls behind other players due to his liabilities.

He lets his temper get the best of him at times and allows his college reputation to creep back in and take over once again. He continues providing scoring relief off the bench, but never develops into a starting option or a guy that can sustain consistency or provide 20+ minutes a night.

The verdict

There’s no question Allen has a knack for scoring, and his athleticism is underrated. He has bounce that complements his smooth jumper. His motor on the court can be contagious and rub off on the players around him.

The likely scenario for Allen is developing into a sixth man and providing effective, efficient scoring for the Jazz. He and Mitchell aren’t a perfect fit next to each other, since neither is a premier playmaker, and inserting a true point guard in a lineup with those two seems a bit too small.

Allen’s upside is capped by his 6’4” frame and defense, but if he fills out and progresses as a player, we could be looking at an above-average sixth man with the ability to score 20 or more on a given night.

The Jazz are a team in need of another scorer and a guy that can get buckets off the bench, so this seems like a perfect match.

In a league where some teams chase youth and potential in the draft, Allen has the chance to be a bench factor and help the Jazz win games from the very beginning.