Regrading the Cavs’ entire 2021 offseason move by move

Regrading the Cavs’ entire 2021 offseason: Jarrett Allen contract

Jarrett Allen should be on the Houston Rockets. He should be their cornerstone building block right now, starting alongside Jabari Smith Jr. and setting screens for Jalen Green. Instead, when the Rockets traded James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets, they preferred another pick over Allen. That allowed the Cavs to swoop in and trade for Allen. A few months later, in the summer of 2021, they annouced a five-year, $100 million deal the minute free agency began.

At the time, that looked like an overpay; not because Allen was overrated or not worth a strong commitment, but because the market probably wasn’t there to pay him that much. The Cavs probably could have negotiated a slightly lower number. That being said, Allen’s dominant play last season has made that contract look even better.

Offensively he was one of the league’s best finishers, setting hard screens and knowing the perfect cadence and positioning of rolling to the basket. He has soft hands, not a given at the center position, and could both dunk lobs and snag rebounds to put back in. On defense he was a premier rim protector and formed an amazing partnership with Evan Mobley.

Allen’s play earned him an All-Star berth, and it was his injury absence late in the season that saw the Cavs fall into the Play-In Tournament and miss the playoffs. Allen’s contract is a flat $20 million per season, which as time goes on will take up a smaller percentage of the cap each year. When compared to a player like DeAndre Ayton, Allen will likely provide 90% or more of the impact at just 65% of the price. That’s a bargain.

New Grade: A-