The Cleveland Cavaliers and Jarrett Allen have agreed to a three-year, $91 million maximum contract extension, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has agreed on a three-year, $91 million maximum extension that’ll now guarantee him $131 million over the next five years, his agent Derrick Powell tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/vmOcgrKsmP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 31, 2024
Named an All-Star in 2022, Allen has developed into one of the best two-way centers in the NBA. In his three full seasons with Cleveland, the Texas product has averaged 15.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. He has the third-highest rebounding average (10.3), eight-highest block average (1.2), and highest field goal percentage (.642) in Cavs’ franchise history.
Cavs Shut Door On Jarrett Allen Trade Rumors With Max Contract
Allen’s extension may come as a surprise.
After Cleveland was eliminated from the 2024 NBA Playoffs, trade rumors broke out. Under fire for refusing to play for an injury, his toughness and willingness to win were questioned. As a competitor, that’s not what teammates what. As a contender, that’s not what a team needs.
Nonetheless, with Cavs star Donovan Mitchell reportedly vouching for him, Allen was safe.
Kel’el Ware, The Perfect Match?
Cleveland presumably could have Allen to a team like the Memphis Grizzlies or New Orleans Pelicans.
Considering the way that the 2024 NBA Draft played out, the Grizzlies could have been offering the Cavs the No. 9 pick. Though considered a weaker draft, a frontcourt prospect like Kel’el Ware would’ve complemented Evan Mobley. Selected with the No. 15 pick, the big man has already been a revelation for the Heat. An inside-outside scorer and steady defender, Ware and Mobley were unlikely to step on each other’s toes.
To that point, while the timing of the recent trade rumors surrounding Allen coincided with the Cavs being bounced from the playoffs, the questions about his fit had begun much earlier.
He’s become a source of reliable offense, primarily scoring on hooks, lobs, dump-offs, and tip-ins. Yet, both he and Mobley are at their best scoring around the rim. This wasn’t supposed to be the case, as the California kid was expected to have a more expansive offensive game. Nonetheless, it is, as Mobley’s at his best offensively when playing a more traditional role.
Would Brandon Ingram Have Worked?
Depending on the timing, a trade with the Pelicans may have simply brought back Larry Nance Jr. and Dyson Daniels. At least, those are the players that New Orleans gave up for Dejounte Murray, and whose combined salary would’ve matched Allen’s for a trade. However, with the amount Allen will earn extension though, Cleveland may have aimed higher.
With Brandon Ingram failing to convince the Pelicans to offer him the type of extension he’s looking for, he’s become a trade candidate. The Cavs are already trying to figure out their chemistry with Mitchell and Darius Garland. Still, the amount of talent that the top teams have could’ve justified Ingram’s addition.
The former second overall pick wouldn’t have been a bad fit either. With Mitchell and Garland doing so much damage beyond the arc, the middle of the floor would’ve softened up. This is particularly the case when Mobley is in the paint and Mitchell is a threat to explode to the rim. A midrange master, Ingram would’ve been able to decimate defenses with his shooting touch.
