Thus far, the Cleveland Cavaliers have gotten very good play from Jarrett Allen. Allen was of course acquired via trade from the Brooklyn Nets back in the James Harden-centric deal back in January, and it was apparent that he looked to be a key piece looking onward for the Wine and Gold.
Allen has fit in so well alongside pieces such as Darius Garland and Collin Sexton, and is not a player that you need to get boatloads of touches. Even with that being the case, he’s been really productive with the Cavs since coming over from Brooklyn, and thus far with Cleveland, has had 13.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per outing.
It was the right call for the Cavaliers to transfer to Allen as their starting 5 in mid-February, which was a corresponding move with Cleveland and Andre Drummond/his camp mutually agreeing that he’d sit in his remaining time with the team. That’s been while the Cavs have been trying to find a trade for Drummond, who is set to be expiring after this season.
It is seeming as if, largely considering Drummond’s $28.7 million contract for this season, and in relation to recent reports, of which you can view further details on here, that the two sides could very well end up doing a buyout, though. We’ll have to see what will shake out regarding Drummond’s situation, anyhow.
But rest assured, the Cavs will try to hammer out a potential trade for him, and as far as clubs that have had previous trade discussions on Drummond, those have been the Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks (most recently).
And again, in terms of potential partners, such as also the New York Knicks, who Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor would foresee as the “most logical” trade landing spot in a recent report, you can view those above. The Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets are reportedly the top two destinations if a buyout were to ensure, for what it’s worth.
Albeit circling back to the aforementioned Allen, who unlike Drummond, looks to be a crucial part of the Cavs’ future, is set to be due for a sizable payday this upcoming offseason, that is from Cleveland in this case. So what could that payday end up looking like?
Here was more on that, according to the aforementioned Fedor in that report/mailbag set of responses.
"“In a word: Pricey. I’d expect Allen’s total number to creep close to $100 million, maybe even a bit north of that. It would put his salary around $20 million annually. Even though he’s a restricted free agent and the Cavs have sent clear signals that Allen isn’t going anywhere, the 22-year-old center will be one of the top free agent targets. He’s a no-maintenance, ascending big who fits the modern era because of the vertical spacing he creates and a willingness to thrive without having plays for him. He also impacts winning at a high level. Who wouldn’t want him? Well, aside from Brooklyn.”"
Allen looks primed for a sizable payday this upcoming offseason, sure, but that’d be the right call by the Cavs.
It seems safe to say that the Cavaliers are going to match a potential offer sheet for Allen, who is set to be a restricted free agent this upcoming offseason. And in terms of potential clubs that could be throwing their hat in the ring, Chris Haynes reported how the Pistons, Raptors, San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards are “some of the teams expected to have some level of interest” in Allen in that realm.
For what it’s worth, Haynes reported how Allen previously was offered, and “politely declined” a “four-year, $48 million contract extension,” from the Nets, which I can’t at all blame him for doing. Haynes then reported how Allen “will be open to all situations as he hopes to collect on his first major payday in the league,” for further context.
To reiterate, it’s evident that the Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly view Allen as one of their crucial core pieces, in the same realm as Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro, and seemingly Larry Nance Jr., who is a budding leadership presence, too.
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In the case with Allen, though, the suggested extension from Fedor is something that while, hardly cheap, would have to be done. Allen, to drive it home, has been quite the difference-maker, is only 22, and has proven to be such a great finisher in the roller/dunker/lob threat spot.
And though it’s going to take plenty of further development, there have been glimpses of stretch big potential from Allen, although he’s only attempted 10 three-point shots with Cleveland, having hit four. He only attempted six of those last season, though, and is just 15 of 76 from deep in his career so far.
Albeit there have been flashes of mid-range shooting off-the-catch from Allen, and for a roller/dunker, him hitting 69.7 percent of his free throw attempts with the Cavs, and 69.8 percent lifetime, is encouraging in that way, to me.
Plus, Allen, while seemingly on a low volume, has shown some post-up viability from time-to-time, too, which has been a positive, too.
Moreover, with how he’s made such a big impact for the Wine and Gold since he was acquired, Allen looks to be again, a core piece moving forward. So to drive it home, while he won’t be cheap, the Cavs need to do what they have to do to ensure the Fro’s tenure is just getting started in The Land.
Collin Sexton, as Fedor pointed out, looks to be in-line for quite a lucrative contract extension, too. With what he’s shown, though, the Young Bull needs to be paid handsomely as well, if that’s what it comes to, and Cleveland will need to keep those two around for the long haul.
We’ll have to see as far as other things to come down the road, anyway.