PistonPowered
Fansided

Detroit Pistons draft targets: Center edition

By David Topham

Feb 25, 2017; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Zach Collins (32) attempts a free throw against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Cougars upset the Bulldogs by a final 79-71. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Zach Collins (32) attempts a free throw against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Cougars upset the Bulldogs by a final 79-71. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Feb 1, 2017; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Jarrett Allen (31) shoots against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half at the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns won 62-58. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Jarrett Allen (31) shoots against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half at the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns won 62-58. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

Jarrett Allen | C | 6’11” | 19 years old | Texas

  • Stats last season: 33 games, 32.2 minutes, .566 FG%, .564 FT%, 13.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.5 blocks per game
  • Draft range: 15-25, will most likely be available
  • Why he fits in Detroit: Allen is raw and unpolished, but he’s so physically gifted that the potential of what he might be able to become may be worth taking a flier on if all of the Pistons’ favorite targets are already off the board.

Unpolished yet full of potential, Jarrett Allen is entering the NBA after spending just one season with the Texas Longhorns. The Detroit Pistons tried to get a better feel for him by working him out on June 15th.

He’s got all of the physical tools to make a name for himself at the next level. To start, he’s 6’11” with a 7’6” wingspan and a 9’2” standing reach. Allen also has gigantic hands, is an agile and fluid runner, and can jump.

These attributes have many excited about his potential to be a rim protector who also has the quicks to switch on pick and roll coverages. They also make for one insane rebound radius. Plus, there’s very few people on the planet who can high-point as high as Allen.

Allen is mostly raw on the offensive end, but he’s shown some signs of nimble footwork in the post and touch on jump hooks and Tristan Thompson-esque push shots in the short roll game. So he’s not just all rolling and lob finishes.  

The problems lie in his on the court mentality. There’s not a lot of mental of physical toughness to Allen. He’s either timid or panics in traffic, which resulted in way too many turnovers. He clearly lacks an advanced feel for the game.

Allen had an up and down season where effort, intensity, and hustle issues surfaced. Detroit has enough of those at the center position already, so I don’t see him being very high on the Pistons’ board.