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Ranking the Cavs’ top 5 players ahead of the 2022-23 season

By Will Holtz

Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen of Team Cavs celebrate during the Taco Bell Skills Challenge. (Photo by Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen of Team Cavs celebrate during the Taco Bell Skills Challenge. (Photo by Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by David Richard-USA TODAY Sports) /

#2 – Jarrett Allen

You know the team is in a good spot if the second best player on the roster is a 24-year-old All-Star. Jarrett Allen proved to be worth the pricey contract extension, stepping in as the perfect co-star to Darius Garland.

Allen burst onto the scene in his first full season with the Cavs, averaging 16.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. He dominated at an extremely efficient level, shooting 67.7% from the field, which ranked 2nd in the NBA. He also had the leagues’ 14th-best PER (Player Efficiency Rating). In addition, at one point last season, he held the highest offensive rating and lowest defensive rating in the entire league. Incredible.

What makes his play on the court elevate even more is his connection with Darius Garland. Allen was often the recipient of Garland’s lob passes, making defenses think twice about jumping with the 6’10” star. In fact, Allen was fourth in the NBA in made dunks last season with 164. Needless to say, he knows how to put an exclamation on Garland’s sweet passes.

He’s among the best in the league at setting solid screens, attacking the basket, protecting the rim and ripping down rebounds. There’s not much more you can ask for from your franchise big man. Jarrett Allen should terrorize opponents this upcoming season.