The Cleveland Cavaliers have just extended center Jarrett Allen on a three-year max contract worth $91 million. Although there have been no new signings, this is the most recent in a slew of re-signings. Cleveland has already locked up both Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley this offseason.
What does this mean for the Cavaliers? Here’s a look at Allen’s time in Cleveland, his stellar 2023-24 season and what this means for the Cavaliers as Allen signs his extension.
Now having spent the same amount of time in Brooklyn and Cleveland, it’s clear how far Allen’s grown as a player. With the Nets he averaged 10.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. With the Cavaliers, he’s averaging 15.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
He’s also playing in a much different environment. While the Nets teams he was on (briefly led by Kenny Atkinson) were fun and had great chemistry, they failed to see any real success. In Cleveland, on the other hand, Allen has been part of a culture geared entirely towards sustainable success. Not only that, but he’s been instrumental in the transformation of the team from the league’s bottom to one of the best in the east.
Allen played exceptionally well last season. Averaging 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, he was crucial to Cleveland’s success in 2023-24.
He also posted the highest usage rate of his career last season. This means as he’s becoming the most involved he’s ever been, he’s playing some of the best basketball of his career.
Even his assists improved, although not in the most obvious fashion. He did average the most per game of his career (2.7), but he also posted the highest assists percentage of his career at 13.2 percent.
He had the most win shares of his career, too, with 10.7. When combining that with the fact that he’s turning the ball over at the lowest rate he ever has, he’s playing extremely efficient basketball.
Cleveland, having extended three of their four core players this offseason, are showing loyalty to the players that brought them to the dance. They could still very well trade Darius Garland, but by all accounts the team has shown it values continuity. If the do trade Garland, though, at least keeping three of the team’s primary faces is a good way to still establish that.
Regardless, Allen is coming off the best season of his career and should be just as impactful next season. And with the continuation of Mobley’s development, the Cavaliers should have one of the most fearsome frontcourts in the NBA.
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Featured photo courtesy of NBA.com
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