The Milwaukee Bucks certainly caught some attention when they acquired Grayson Allen from the Memphis Grizzlies in a trade earlier this offseason.
While it is not a needle-tipping move by any means, trading guard Sam Merrill and two future second round picks for Allen was a great deal by general manager Jon Horst. It is undeniably the team’s most interesting and unexpected move made thus far, and many are anxiously awaiting to see how the 25-year-old fits in with the reigning champs.
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Allen will be a ready-made rotational player for the Bucks from day one. In fact, he could even find himself in the starting five from the jump next season, whether Donte DiVincenzo is back healthy or not.
After consistently improving throughout his first three seasons, Allen seems poised for big things with his new team. With that being said, here are three goals he should aim to achieve during the 2021-22 season to help the defending champs in their quest to repeat.
Goal No. 1 – Grayson Allen should tally career-highs in steals and blocks
Allen’s defense is just one of the many attributes that should help his transition to the Bucks all the easier.
While he is not an All-Defensive candidate or anywhere close to it, the guard has shown flashes of potential on that side of the ball throughout his first three seasons. In lineups with Jrue Holiday, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Khris Middleton, and other reputable defenders, Allen will scarcely be tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best player, but one way that he could help the team would be by tallying steals and blocking shots.
During his first three seasons, his numbers in those two categories have gone up consistently for the most part. He totaled six steals and six blocks during his rookie season in 2018-19,10 steals and two blocks the following year and most recently blew both of those out of the water last year by grabbing 46 steals and eight blocked shots. The increase in those numbers can be attributed to the guard’s increased opportunity, and as he seems destined for a big role with the Bucks, he should look to notch career-highs in those categories once again.
Allen is certainly not the most prolific shot-blocking guard, but eclipsing eight blocks across the season, particularly with the league returning to the 82-game schedule, seems feasible. There will be more focus on the steals he accounts for, as Allen’s peskiness as a defender should help him in that regard. Allen took a significant leap in his total steals from his sophomore season to his junior, and another big stride would be welcoming.
The Bucks pride themselves on the defensive side of the basketball, and Allen could earn his keep by having active hands to notch steals and blocks.