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Charlotte Hornets: Allonzo Trier is worth the risk in the second-round

By Jerry Stephens

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 18: Allonzo Trier #41 does the shuttle run during the NBA Draft Combine Day 2 at the Quest Multisport Center on May 18, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 18: Allonzo Trier #41 does the shuttle run during the NBA Draft Combine Day 2 at the Quest Multisport Center on May 18, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Allonzo Trier is a proven scorer and could be a steal for the Charlotte Hornets late in the second-round of the 2018 NBA Draft.

In this year’s draft, the Charlotte Hornets could grab talented scorer in the second-round with Allonzo Trier who could be an impact player for them. Even though most of the focus is on their first-round pick, the Queen City team’s second-round selection (55th overall) shouldn’t be overlooked. They found an immediate contributor in the second-round last year with Dwayne Bacon and they could do the same this time around.

Trier is expected to be a second-round pick this year. Although, there is a chance that he could go undrafted. NBADraft.net projects him to go 59th overall to the Phoenix Suns in the second-round of the 2018 NBA Draft. Charlotte could be in prime position to select the former Arizona guard as he should still be on the board.

Allonzo was suspended on two separate occasions during his college career. The first one came in 2016-17 when a drug test found that he tested positive for a banned substance. Although, Trier admitted that he’s “never knowingly taken a banned substance” and that he was “given a banned substance by a well-intentioned, but misguided person not associated with the University.” (wildcat.arizona.edu)

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The banned substance was a performance-enhancing drug (PED). He missed 18 games because of the suspension but in the end, the NCAA ruled that he did not knowingly take the PED. Allonzo tested positive once again in 2017-18 for the same substance but it was only a minuscule amount that was still in his system as a result of the first positive test.

The 22-year old averaged 18.1 points per game, 3.2 assists and 3.0 rebounds during his final year at the University of Arizona. He also managed to shoot 50% from the field, 38% from deep and 86.5% from the free throw line. He led the Wildcats in three’s made and was second in both scoring and assists.

Trier led the Pac-12 in true shooting percentage and offensive plus/minus while ranking fourth in points scored. He was an AP Preseason All-American and was one of only 20 players named as a Late Season Wooden Award finalist for his performances during the 2017-18 campaign.

NBADraft.net compares Allonzo to former NBA player Rashad McCants who was a five-year NBA veteran. Trier has decent size at 6’5 but his length isn’t a strength as he measures in with a 6’6 wingspan.

It’s clear that Charlotte has at least some interest in Trier as they brought him in for a pre-draft workout. It’s worth noting that Allonzo has also worked out for the Boston Celtics, the Chicago Bulls, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the New York Knicks, the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings.

The Seattle, Washington native is worth taking a chance on because of his scoring and shooting ability. Although he isn’t a great defender and needs to improve his rebounding at the next level, he is a proven scorer and can score both on the ball and off the ball. He has a knack for drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line as well. Also, his past problems with PED’s shouldn’t be a concern because even the NCAA ruled that he didn’t take them knowingly.

If Charlotte decides to trade Jeremy Lamb or even Kemba Walker this summer, I think that Trier could be a good scoring option off of their bench. Matt Norlander of CBSsports.com named Allonzo a “sleeper” and said that “he’s built to have the best range on his 3-pointer outside of any guard in this draft named Trae Young.” That’s some extremely high praise.

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Even though I do think that Allonzo’s scoring ability will translate well to the NBA, the defensive end may be a problem for him. It will be interesting to see if he struggles to defend bigger players at the next level because of his length. Regardless, he should be a player on the Charlotte Hornets’ radar in the second-round.