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Cavs: Weighing in on ESPN’s ranking of 4 CLE players

By Amadou Sow

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton (left) and Cleveland big Jarrett Allen celebrate a near-win. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton (left) and Cleveland big Jarrett Allen celebrate a near-win. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls. Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images /

Cavs: Weighing in on Markkanen’s #82 ranking by ESPN

After a very promising second year in the NBA, Markkanen’s play has dipped over the past two seasons. Many factors could be the cause of that as COVID-19 health and safety protocols, injuries, and coaching changes all seemed to have major effects on the 7-footer’s play.

Being traded to the Cavaliers not only gives Markkanen a fresh start but gives him a chance to re-write his career on a team that should heavily utilize him, considering what was given up to acquire him.

Looking at how he fares amongst his peers, they have him above Jonas Valanciunas and below Jusuf Nurkic.

Considering last season, that should be flipped as injuries plagued yet another Nurkic season and Valanciunas had an “All-Star”-level season, posting the best averages of his career and leading the Memphis Grizzlies to the playoffs. Valanciunas’ play was substantially better than Markkanen’s and should have been better highlighted by ESPN.

Cavs: Weighing in on Allen’s #61 ranking by ESPN

Using assets they had acquired over the years, the Cavs were able to work their way into the blockbuster James Harden trade. This allowed them to acquire Jarrett Allen while only giving up an expiring contract in Dante Exum and a future Milwaukee Bucks pick, a pick that should be a late first-rounder.

Jarrett Allen gives the team a true rim protector as he offers more paint protection than Tristan Thompson was able to. Allen averaged his first career double-double this season and was rewarded with a 5-year extension because of it.

With the shooters and facilitators that the Cavaliers were able to acquire over the year, it should make life easy for Allen on the offensive end. Continued progressions to his post-game and shooting would help to improve his offensive output but aren’t something that fans should expect soon.

Looking at how he fares amongst his peers, ESPN has him just under Christian Wood and above players like Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. Comparing wings to bigs is like comparing apples to oranges but both Bridges and Anunoby had better seasons than Allen did factoring in injuries, consistency, and both offensive and defensive play.