Guaranteed contracts aside, the life of late first-round picks in the NBA can be a bit of a slog relative to their lottery brethren. Said players may have security that the second-rounders, undrafted guys and journeymen don’t have, but they’re often fighting for that same chance to prove themselves. Case in point: Utah Jazz rookie Grayson Allen.
Although the Jazz have won three of their last five games and could be on the cusp of a turnaround, Allen’s individual progress has been stymied by three straight DNPs. With the Jazz needing wins and Ricky Rubio, Donovan Mitchell, Dante Exum and Raul Neto all ahead of him, there just hasn’t been much of an opportunity for the former Duke star to get out on the hardwood.