17. Milwaukee Bucks: Jarrett Allen, Texas Longhorns
Ultimate Upside Comparison: DeAndre Jordan
Safe Upside Comparison: John Henson
Position: Center
Age: 19 (4/21/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10.25″, 234 pounds, 7’5.25″
2016-17 Slash Line: .566/.000/.564
2016-17 Season Averages: 32.2 MPG, 13.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.0 ORPG, 1.5 BPG
The Milwaukee Bucks have a borderline superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo, which creates some measure of a sense of urgency. The organization has shown no fear in gambling on upside players, and that’s what it does again at No. 17 overall.
Milwaukee has a chance to make a significant change in the 2017 NBA Draft, and its ambitious selection of Jarrett Allen would signal a step in the right direction.
It’s a bold statement to make, but Allen is quite similar to DeAndre Jordan. They’re similar players in the sense that they have massive wingspans, explosive leaping ability, and the tools to both dominate the boards and alter shots at the rim.
Allen still has untapped potential as a rebounder and shot-blocker, but that’s expected from a freshman who played in a team-oriented system.
A better comparison may be current Bucks big man John Henson, who’s on a significant contract. Like Henson, Allen has the improving skill level to become a scorer, but is more comfortable playing within the scheme on both ends of the floor.
Adebayo may not live up to his potential, but it’s rare that players are as physically imposing down low as he flashes the ability to be.