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Los Angeles Clippers need to get Grayson Allen regardless of what you say

By Ryan Snellings

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: Grayson Allen #23 speaks with reporters during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: Grayson Allen #23 speaks with reporters during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Clippers need to try and get Grayson Allen if he’s still available in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft.

The Los Angeles Clippers need to get Grayson Allen in the 2018 NBA Draft.

I’ll die on this hill. My fellow Site Expert, Garrett Chorpenning, will disagree, as I’m sure many of you will.

But, before you blow up the Clipperholics Twitter with your takes, just hear me out.

Grayson Allen in College

Let’s get a very brief history of Grayson Allen before I make my case. In his four years at Duke, Allen averaged 14.1 points per game on 43% shooting. He dished out 3 assists per game and snagged 2.6 rebounds. Allen, who is 6’4″ and 195lbs is listed at a shooting guard, but in the NBA will have to play more of a combo role.

His college numbers are slightly skewed, as he was the forgotten freshman for most of his first year behind the team’s big trio. However, he did show his capabilities in the National Championship win, which brought his name to the forefront.

Allen’s sophomore year was by far his best, scoring 21.6 points on 46.6% shooting. After this season, many had Allen slotted as a lottery pick, but he decided to return to school.

His junior and senior years were somewhat run of the mill, with a couple of notable incidents involving tripping players, which we’ll get into below. Allen was the lone senior on Duke’s team this past year and was able to show off his capability as a leader.

"One scout that studied him last season says he saw something different. “The thing that was most a revelation to me was watching him with their young guys,” said the scout. “He’s the only senior, he gathered guys together, kept guys going, patted guys on the back. He was a leader. He was an encourager. He was a good teammate.”"

You can check out some of his strengths and weaknesses on The Ringer’s mock draft. (They currently have him listed at pick 38.)

The Logic

I want to preface this by saying there is no way the Clippers should or would think about using one of their lottery picks on Allen. That would be completely asinine. At most, they should look at buying a 2nd round draft pick to snag him with.

Alright. Let’s get into this.

Grayson Allen has a great shot. It’s probably the most marketable thing for him right now to NBA teams. With the way the league has trended, shooting is always needed.At the start of the past season, he poured in 37 points against second ranked Michigan St.

He’s also pretty damn athletic. In case you didn’t watch the Draft Combine yesterday, look at this:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi5SKIanETU/?hl=en&taken-by=laclippers

(Shout out to the LA Clippers social media team for posting this!) On top of this quick shuttle run, which was the second quickest of the day, he posted the fifth fastest lane agility speed in the Combine’s history. Oh, he also has a 40.5″ vertical jump, which was the sixth best. The kid is an athlete.

“BUT RYAN! ALL HE DOES IS PLAY DIRTY AND TRIP PEOPLE! WE CAN’T HAVE A DIRTY PLAYER LIKE HIM!”

First off, that was quelled and he had no incidents during his senior season. Secondly, look at this quote from an NBA GM. I think that they have a better grasp on what teams are thinking.

"“For the most part, teams don’t care about the [expletive] that goes on in college,” said an Eastern Conference GM. They care about shooting. Does Allen’s range extend beyond the 3-point line? They care about defense."

So, if the GM’s don’t care and the issues seem to be behind him, why are you still harping on it?

Look, I’ll even concede a point here. Grayson’s defense leaves some question marks. It’s part of the reason teams are shying away from him. However, he has the physical tools to be better, so why not take a flyer on him? If he is with the team, who better to learn how to channel anger and intensity onto the defensive end from then Patrick Beverley?

Worst and Best Case

Worst case, the Clippers buy a second rounder and take Allen. He gets some exposure to the team, plays some preseason games and gets sent down to the Agua Caliente Clippers. No harm, no foul, right?

Best case, Allen is able to develop, similarly to Austin Rivers. Allen becomes a serviceable defender and is able to knock down shots while helping to share the ball handling load off the bench. He likely gets minutes as the fifth or sixth guard, behind the likes of Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Milos Teodosic, Austin Rivers and Avery Bradley, should the last two remain with the team. He may not even play over Sindarius Thornwell (who put up similar numbers in college and is also similar in size.)

Getting Allen as a second rounder is a low risk and high reward situation. Let’s take a chance on him and see what happens. It’s cliche, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?