Acquiring Jarrett Allen from the Brooklyn Nets was one of the brightest spots of the 2020-21 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The young center had a great half of a season with the team and established himself as a part of the teams’ future plans.
With expectations being set so high for Allen next year, there are some lofty, but achievable goals for Allen in the 2021-22 season.
We’ll highlight those two goals for him here for the Cavs.
The first has to do with his consistency.
Goal #1: Average a double-double for the Cavs
The first goal for Jarrett Allen next season is to average at least a double-double.
This is a very achievable goal for Allen. He averaged a double-double for the first time in Year 4 in this now-past season, putting up 12.8 points and 10.0 rebounds a night.
That said, he had a bit better rebounding numbers with the Nets in 2020-21. With the Nets, Allen averaged 10.4 rebounds, whereas with the Cavaliers, he averaged 9.9 boards a night. This is very interesting considering that he played more minutes and a much bigger role once he joined the Cavaliers.
One of the biggest reasons for this is that the Cavs played a much slower style of basketball than the Nets. The Cavaliers had the 25th-fastest pace in the league while the Nets ranked eighth in the regular season.
Even if Cleveland continues to play a slower style of basketball, it is essential that Allen averages at least 10 rebounds a night. His style of play is one of an old fashioned center. This brand of basketball prides itself on points in the paint, rebounding and interior defense.
He will be playing a big role with the Cavaliers in the next season ahead. As a result of this, it is essential that he gets his rebounding numbers up and at least averages 10-12 in the upcoming season.
There will be no shortage of opportunities for Allen to pull down rebounds on both ends of the ball.
On the defensive end, Allen will often times be the tallest player on the court and the closest one to the basket. With a knack for reading where the ball will go paired with a great wingspan and jumping ability, Allen will lead the Cavs rebounding on the defensive end.
He should also put the team on his back rebounding on the offensive end. Unless the Cavaliers make a big jump in terms of shooting in the 2021-22 season, there will be no shortage of opportunities to pull in boards on the offensive end.
Goal #2: Play to the level of his next contract for the Cavs
The second goal for Jarrett Allen for next season is to play to a level that will be worth paying him the money that he is expected to receive this offseason.
It has been rumored that Allen could receive a $100 million-plus contract, and potentially could receive an offer of $25 million per year. While we’ll have to see in regards to his next deal, it’s apparent that he looks to be a core piece for Cleveland.
Nonetheless, this would be a very pricy contract especially for the type of player that Allen is. Joel Embiid and Deandre Ayton are the only “traditional centers” in the entire NBA that have proven they were worth this level of pay, and Embiid has is a great mid-range shooter.
Allen will have to have an All-Star or All-NBA level of production to be worth this money. However, he has the potential to do this.
His game most closely reflects that of Ayton. In the 2020-21 season, Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
These are numbers that Allen can replicate if not beat, but Ayton played as the third option in the Phoenix Suns’ offense this season.
Allen will likely have to establish himself as a near-second option, or at worst have to be the third option in the offense. As a result of this, he will have to put up around 17 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks per game to be anywhere near worth $20 million per season, or reportedly $25 million even.
This is something that if healthy, he is capable of accomplishing albeit it will not be easy by any means.