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NBA scouts and executives are high on Brooklyn Nets center Jarrett Allen, but they don't think he'll be an “elite” big man in the game.
Allen averaged 10.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.5 blocks this season for the Nets while shooting 59.0 percent from the field and 70.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Allen has drawn comparisons to Houston Rockets center Clint Capela and Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert.
Via Michael Scotto of The Athletic:
One Eastern Conference scout whose team faced Allen four times during the regular season agreed with Atkinson.
“He has all the tools,” the scout texted. “You can’t teach his length. He’s already gotten a lot better as most guys have on that team.”
According to a Western Conference executive, Allen exemplifies where the league is going at his position.
“I think the center position is changing and he’s working to become a shooter from the corner and he’s a high-level roller,” the executive said over the phone. “He’s got the tools to be a switcher on defense. I don’t know if he’s going to be elite, but he’s got the potential to do that. If you look at what the center position will look like in the future, he’s got that stuff.”
“He has upside,” one Western Conference general manager texted. “Don’t know if he’s elite.”
“He’s an elite defensive center,” a second Western Conference executive who has scouted Allen extensively since college said over the phone. “If we’re talking about the complete package, he’s got the athleticism but without the shot creation ability on his own. To be an elite center, you have to have that like Embiid, and he can go get a bucket. His IQ is what will make him an elite defender because he’s brilliant.”
It's evident Allen will have to develop more of an offensive game next season to take the next step. The Nets made the playoffs this season for the first time since 2015 and have a bright future with general manager Sean Marks and head coach Kenny Atkinson leading the way.
Let's see what kind of jump Allen makes next season for the Nets.
