#1: Less inefficient Cavs post-ups/interior finishing issues at the 5
The first key plus with Drummond sitting in the remainder of his time with the Cavs, of which could maybe be a “while,” per Charania’s report, is less inefficient post-ups/interior finishing issues at the 5.
Far too often this season, Drummond was forcing things with post-ups, and though the Cavs gave him his reigns to do so seemingly, along with even some drives, it led to stagnant offense far too frequently, and inefficient post-up production. Thus far this season, Drummond, while earlier on I give him his credit for helping will the Cavs to a few wins, by and large hasn’t been nearly effective enough to warrant his post-up volume overall.
Among players that have averaged at least 3.0 post-ups per game this season, Drummond has averaged the least amount of points per possession at just 0.82, per Synergy Sports. And he’s had the third-highest post-up volume, per Synergy, at 5.4 attempts per contest.
Drummond has had the fifth-highest free throw frequency in those situations, but his free throw hit rate on the year has only been 59.7 percent, so it’s not made nearly enough of a difference.
And with Drummond sitting from here for the rest of his time with the Cavaliers/seemingly until he is traded, which would appear to be very likely, I wouldn’t expect Allen to be posting up all that often.
I’d think we’ll still see some instances when JaVale McGee could have post-ups here and there in a primary backup 5 role once again, of which he did pre-Allen acquisition, but by and large, I’d expect the Cavs to not be force feeding the post.
From there, with how inefficient Drummond was on post-ups, and him overall hitting a career-low 51.9 percent of his shots in the restricted area, per NBA.com’s shooting data, Cleveland’s offense will benefit with him sitting. That’s in a general sense after when he is seemingly ultimately traded, of course, too.
Allen, conversely, is not a player that needs post touches, really, let alone close to a high volume of them, and he’ll fill in more actively as a roller/lob threat, which could help Cleveland’s perimeter threats via vertical spacing. Plus, just overall, when factoring in putbacks/quick cuts/rolls, Allen has hit 71.8 percent of his restricted area shots in his last 15 games active with Cleveland, per NBA.com’s shooting data.
McGee hasn’t been that efficient as a finisher, when on the subject of the Cavs 5 man threats thus far this season as well, but he has been as a roller, and is an active lob threat. And though he’s been a reported potential trade candidate, per Charania, whether or not JaVale is eventually dealt as another expiring big, he’ll likely aid in that realm as a roll man in remaining burn with the Cavs, too.
Moving on, the other key positive regarding Drummond sitting from here in his remaining time left with the Cavs, and really, just looking onward, is an emphasis on the perimeter game, hopefully.