[IlladelphParticipant]

 There is a story on ESPN.com about Grayson Allen’s draft stock.  According to the story, multiple NBA sources say that Allen would have been a mid-first round pick in last year’s draft, but now he is at best a mid second-rounder.  The author talks about this with Allen, who unconvincingly states that he does not regret his choice to come back to Duke.

My take on this is that Allen stayed because he didn’t understand the one-and-done game that Duke now plays every year just like Kentucky does.  The rules of hte game are that when you are projected to go in the first round, you go.  Because, most likely your stock will never be higher than that, and the next year there will be another new batch of hyped-up one and done players that will get all the attention.  The other major risk is injury.  And if you look at Allen’s year so far, he has succumbed to both of these risks.  

Now, I know Allen wasn’t a one-and-done.  Instead he should have been a two year and done guy after last season.  I think because he wasn’t a one-and-done guy he thought that staying to win a chip at Duke, even though he had already won one, was the thing to do.  Perhaps loyalty to his school, or his coach, misplaced though it may be?  After all, Allen is now just a supporting actor in the Duke drama now, and Luke Kennard is Duke’s new favorite sharpshooter of the year.  I wonder how good Allen must feel watching Kennard get all the hype now, and emerging as the alpha guard while he remains in and out of coach K’s dog house, watching his own draft stock slide.

At any rate, I think we all know (and I think Allen knows too) that staying at Duke was a huge mistake from an NBA draft standpoint.  I can’t help but think if he had been at Kentucky, and he was projected to go in the first round, he would have gone.  Calipari wants his guys to be drafted in the first round, and he understands that for those super-talented kids, UK exists to get guys prepped for the NBA and win a few games in March on the way.  Hopefully Luke Kennard doesn’t make the same mistake as Allen did.  It’s sad when elite college players, with first round NBA hype, miss their narrow window of opportunity to hang out in college for another year or two.  At least at Kentucky when you leave for the NBA, you have a scholarship for life and can come back any time to complete your degree.  I’m sure that if Duke is a "player’s first" kind of place, that opportunity would be there too.   The parents, the coaches, a trusted friend, someone with the player’s best interest in mind, should explain to these guys like Allen that college will always be there to go back to and complete their degrees, but their NBA opportunity won’t.  

[kobyzParticipant]

 I don’t know where he would have gone last year, but I think he is a first round pick this year… He’s a player a playoff team would like to add and having his heart, competitiveness and playmaking at least off the bench…

[r377Participant]

I dont’ think it really matters whether he got drafted last year, this year or next year. He would still have to battle NBA veterans and d-leaguers to make it to the NBA. He would prob be better off mentally and physically if he went against them this year or next, rather than last year.

As far as financials. He would of got a 2 year guaranteed contract for about $1.1-1.2mil per season for being a late first rounder. He could go back next year and get his degree. He can also play ball professionally overseas for $300k to $1mill per season for 10-15 years and not have the grind of an nba 82 game season which can take its toll on your body and shorten your pro career.

[BallerScriptParticipant]

 Last year before he said he would return to Duke I had Allen going to Charlotte at pick 19 which may be a bit high for him but that is roughly where I saw him going.

This year it is a bit different and he seems to be in the 35 to 50 range because of his attitude and statistical regression which is expected but if a team can get him to pull his head in he can definitely be an impact player and be worthy of a first round pick.

Remember only one front office needs to like him!

 

 

 

[capecodderParticipant]

 As of now…he does not fiil a need….however, I love his game and, if available at 35, I would not mind them taking him 

[capecodderParticipant]

 As of now…he does not fiil a need….however, I love his game and, if available at 35, I would not mind them taking him 

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