Cleveland Cavaliers: Tony Allen should be the Cavs priority post-trade deadline target

 After reshaping their roster the day of the trade deadline, the Cleveland Cavaliers are left with an open spot, which will hopefully be filled by Tony Allen.

Anybody that even remotely follows the NBA knows that the Cleveland Cavaliers did something rare on February 8. They traded six players, got four back, and shocked the NBA world with three huge trades.

The Cavs, who had a full 15-man roster, were down to just 13 active players, along with their two-way players from the Canton Charge.

This team didn’t only lose experience when they dealt the likes of Channing Frye, Isaiah Thomas, and Dwyane Wade; they also lost a couple of their most imperative locker room personalities. They can possibly get that back with veteran Tony Allen, that and much more.

As of February 9, the former Pelicans shooting guard Tony Allen was placed on waivers, according to TNT’s Davis Aldridge. Allen, who is widely known for his defense, would bring a gritty, aggressive playstyle that Cleveland at times lacks.

Throughout his tedious fourteen-year career, Allen took his defensive intensity wherever he went. In those 14 seasons, Allen’s team had a defensive rating of more than 105 just two times, including this season in his short stint with the Pelicans. Allen was also part of the “Grind City” movement in Memphis, a movement focusing on defensive intensity, that ended up taking Memphis to the playoffs seven straight times.

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Another intriguing defensive stat that Allen can boast is his defensive box plus/minus. Allen has averaged +2.1 per season, an impressive feat for even the best defenders. Compare that to JR Smith, who has a career average of -1.2 to go along with just two seasons with a positive score, and it’s obvious that Allen has been a superb defender throughout his years in the league.

Although 36, Allen can still provide meaningful minutes for a team like Cleveland. Cleveland currently has the NBA’s 28th worst-ranked defense. They give up over 108 points per 100 possessions and are only statistically better than the Suns and Kings, two teams obviously trying to tank.

Allen, in his time with New Orleans, significantly helped their defense.

Allen ended his New Orleans career with a 103.7 defensive rating while the Pelicans, in general, have a 107 rating, per NBA.com. While the Cavs complete remodeling of their team might improve their defense, Allen’s presence could still be used to elevate what will hopefully be a rejuvenated Cavs defense.

Like previously stated, Allen’s best days might be behind him, but he can certainly still be productive. In his 22 games in New Orleans earlier this season, Allen, while on the court, averaged a +3.4 point differential. Lineups with Allen were successful, and I’d lay a bet that success could translate in Cleveland.

Allen, once he is cleared from waiver, should be looking to sign with a contender, and Cleveland, even with a minute role, would be the perfect fit.

Let’s recap.

Allen is a proven, well-recognized defender who was just cut by his former team. The Cavs lost several locker room leaders in their trade deadline chaos and could use some experienced leadership, which Allen could bring.

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That said, the Cavs need Allen, and Allen, if wants his best chance at another ring, needs the Cavs too.