Alabama Crimson Tide wing Amari Allen has been one of the less talked-about prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft, but he is still a great prospect. Standing at around six-foot-six in shoes, Allen is a versatile, jack-of-all-trades wing who can do a little bit of everything. From handling the ball to defending the wing, Allen has shown potential in multiple areas of the game.
To be sure, Allen certainly needs to continue to develop his overall game, as he is still a work in progress in several areas. However, his versatility on the wing can be a real asset for any team that drafts him. Let’s dive into the best overall fits for Allen among the various teams in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Best Fits For Alabama Forward Amari Allen In The 2026 NBA Draft
Denver Nuggets
A team that can use a versatile wing like Allen is the Denver Nuggets. The team is likely to move off of Cameron Johnson in order to sign their own restricted free agent in Peyton Watson. With Johnson potentially leaving, the Nuggets can use another wing on their roster who can operate around Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
In particular, the Nuggets getting a wing who can help handle the ball and make passing reads with it can help alleviate some of the ball-handling burden that the two Denver stars have. It can also help make Denver’s offense even more potent, as they have another player who can move the ball to the right place once defenses have collapsed. Allen has also shown positive flashes of being a solid floor-spacer and cutter, allowing him to operate off-ball next to Jokic and Murray. On the defensive end, Allen is capable of guarding multiple positions and providing the defense they need on the wings.
As for Allen’s end, the Nuggets have everything he needs to smoothly transition in the NBA. Next to an all-time great offensive player in Jokic, Allen will feast on plenty of easy looks, whether they be smooth layups off of cuts or open threes. Murray is also a highly talented offensive player who can create great looks for Allen due to his scoring gravity. The Nuggets also have multiple strong defenders like Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Watson, who can help Allen out on the defensive end and keep him disciplined.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are a team that desperately needs more help on the wings. Their current wings, Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt, are not good enough on the offensive end, which puts major pressure on Los Angeles’ main ball-handlers in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to generate points against tight defenses. Rui Hachimura, who the Lakers often use on the wing, has the opposite issue than LaRavia and Vanderbilt. While the upcoming free agent has made an argument to stay with the Lakers due to his offensive prowess, he lacks the footspeed and basketball IQ to effectively guard the perimeter.
That is where Allen fits into the picture, as he has the versatility to provide two-way play. He has a higher ceiling offensively than either LaRavia or Vanderbilt due to his ball-handling, passing, and shooting upside. On the defensive end, Allen is better equipped to defend on the wings compared to Hachimura. He has the potential to be the two-way wing that the Lakers need around Doncic and Reaves.
In the same vein as Jokic and Murray, LA’s guard duo is two immensely talented offensive players who can help generate amazing scoring opportunities for Allen. While the 2026 NBA Draft prospect can handle the ball and make passing reads, having two excellent ball-handlers to rely on will help him ease into the league.
Philadelphia 76ers
Another team that really needs to add more wing depth to the roster is the Philadelphia 76ers. While they do have Kelly Oubre Jr. and Justin Edwards, the Sixers do need one more wing in the rotation who can defend bigger wings. Allen has that capability at six-foot-six with a sturdy build, allowing him to guard one through three. Allen can also provide another wing who can make the offense flow significantly better due to his connective passing. He can also be a secondary ball-handler next to guys like Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Paul George. Even in an off-ball role, Allen has the upside to be a spot-up shooter and cutter.
Philadelphia has the personnel who can bring out the best in Allen and his ideal role. As an electric scorer and great passer, Maxey can be someone who can set up Allen with open scoring opportunities. Furthermore, Edgecombe and George’s scoring gravity will also help create easy looks for him as well. The Sixers have multiple athletic, high-energy defenders who can help share the defensive burden on the perimeter with Allen.
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