Cleveland Cavaliers: Constructing the dream offseason
Free agents the Cleveland Cavaliers should re-sign:
The most important free agent on the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason is Jarrett Allen. The franchise sent out a first round pick to take him on in the James Harden blockbuster in January, and he played well as a two-way center who excels around the basket on both ends of the court without gobbling up possessions with post touches.
More from King James Gospel
- 3 possible starting lineups for Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023-24
- The Cavaliers may have snagged a hidden gem in Craig Porter Jr.
- 4 players the Cavaliers should pursue in 2024 free agency
- 6 players Cavaliers might replace Jarrett Allen with by the trade deadline
- This stat is one to keep an eye on for Cavaliers’ Max Strus in years ahead
That investment should not mean that the Cavaliers sign Allen at all costs. Center is the most replaceable position in the league, and if Allen’s salary demands are too high they should consider letting him walk or pulling off a sign-and-trade to another team in return for an asset.
That being said, it is likely the market for Allen will be limited to just a handful of teams. If the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors find their center solutions quickly and don’t have to play the restricted free agent waiting game, then the Cavaliers gain the leverage in negotiations with Allen.
In our dream offseason, therefore, the Cavaliers are able to point to contracts given to players such as Jusuf Nurkic as comparable to Allen, while players such as Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner were more accomplished at this point in their contract cycles. They bring back Allen on a 4-year, $64 million contract with an annual average value of $16 million.
The rest of the free agent decisions are mostly made. Isaiah Hartenstein is a solid backup center with some remaining upside and after declining his player option to hit free agency elects to stick with the Cavaliers on a minimum deal. Dean Wade is retained on his non-guaranteed minimum deal, while Mfiondu Kabengele is cut but re-signed to a two-way deal.