Cavs have been really missing Jarrett Allen in recent games

Looking onward, it seems pretty certain that Jarrett Allen will be a crucial piece for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Allen, who is set to be a restricted free agent this upcoming season, will likely be set for a big pay day. That’s factoring in rumors/reports related to that scenario likely to come, but while he won’t be necessarily cheap, Allen will be more than worth it with what he’ll mean to this Cavs team in the near future.

The now-full-time Cleveland starting 5, often which he’s been starting at the 5, at least and now is when healthy, has had 13.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks with the Cavs since being acquired via trade from the Brooklyn Nets.

Allen hadn’t been quite as impactful game-to-game post-All-Star break, and then since has missed the Cavs’ past four games due to a concussion, though.

That said, he still has had share of quality outings even post-All-Star, and it’s evident that he’s fit in well as a roller in sequences with Darius Garland, for one. Allen’s rim protection/shot altering, to go with his offensive rebounding, has aided Cleveland, too, along with him helping as an off-ball screener in his burn.

Hopefully he’s back soon, though, as the Cavs need him back, obviously.

The Cavs have been really missing Allen in recent games.

The Cavaliers would’ve had their cut out for them in games at the Utah Jazz, who destroyed them on Monday, and even without Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday would have been a tough outing anyway. But Allen’s presence could’ve at least helped out defensively, and as a player that could help with his vertical spacing element offensively, to an extent, one would think.

And while fouling issues have been the case for him regardless, Isaiah Hartenstein, although some extended burn for him has come with Allen’s absence has been a side benefit, he’s been really the only resistance at the rim that Cleveland’s had in recent games sans Allen. That’s been a tough spot for him, and the fouls issues have been at the forefront, as a result.

The young big has shown some positive signs, though, on the plus side, and his passing and stretch big potential has flashed.

Additionally, in terms of another positive, Kevin Love recently returned for the Cavs, and him having 13 points in 20 minutes, to go with three assists versus Philly, was good to see. But his shooting wasn’t particularly on display in another loss at the Miami Heat on Saturday; albeit the three assists in his 23 minutes were some of a lift.

As another plus, Dean Wade, whose had extended burn lately, partly due to injuries, has continued to prove himself as a legitimate game-to-game contributor for Cleveland. Wade has had a respectable 10.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 27.9 minutes per outing in his last eight appearances, for further context, and he should have a role for the Cavs from here still, too.

In any case, with his activity/finishing touch/power on the interior, and with the constant vertical presence he is, to go with being an impact rim protector, Cleveland has greatly missed Allen in recent games.

The Cavs, for instance, were crushed by Dwight Howard on Thursday, and while he’d still have gotten some looks to go, Allen would’ve been considerably more resistance to Howard. And Jarrett would’ve definitely put less burden on the aforementioned Hartenstein, and to some degree, Wade.

Moreover, while of course Larry Nance Jr.’s recent absence due to reportedly a “mystery” illness has also hurt, Allen’s absence of late, perhaps most notably, has been glaringly apparent.

Hopefully he’s back sooner than later for the Wine and Gold, who, given their bigs being banged up, I could foresee potentially taking a flyer on free agent Mfiondu Kabengele. We’ll have to see in relation to both, anyhow.