With an uncertain future at center beyond this season, the Cavaliers were thrilled when the Nets called to see if they were interested in Jarrett Allen, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Allen will be a restricted free agent this summer, and Brooklyn was looking for another team to get involved in the James Harden deal.
The Cavs acquired a promising 22-year-old big man, along with swingman Taurean Prince, for the bargain price of Dante Exum, the Bucks’ first-round pick in 2022, and a second-rounder in 2024. Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s decision to accept an extension in Milwaukee deflated the value of the Bucks’ pick, Fedor notes.
Cleveland was able to add Allen’s $3.9MM salary with the trade exception it had from the Jordan Clarkson deal last season, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link).
A source close to the team told Fedor the Cavaliers were “delighted” to pick up Allen.
“You get a guy who is 22 years old and just about to go into the prime of his career with our growing young core,” the source said. “To acquire a player of that magnitude, of that age, that’s why we acquired those assets, to have these opportunities.”
Andre Drummond is the current starting center in Cleveland, but he’s headed for free agency and was already a candidate to be moved before the trade deadline. Backup JaVale McGee is also in the final year of his contract and isn’t a good long-term fit at age 32. Fedor states that teams have already contacted the Cavs to see if McGee is available.
Allen can be the type of rim protector that Cleveland was seeking when it tried to acquire Myles Turner from the Pacers last February, Fedor notes. Instead, the organization surrendered cap room in free agency to trade for Drummond with the understanding that he was likely to opt into his $28.75MM salary for this season.
The Cavaliers have been interested in Allen since the 2017 draft and talked to the Nets about a potential deal during the offseason, according to Fedor. Brooklyn didn’t want to part with Allen at the time because of his low salary and his exceptional performance at Disney World, but that changed with the opportunity to acquire Harden. Allen is off to another strong start, averaging 11.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks through 12 games while shooting 67.7% from the field.
Cleveland is optimistic about its chances of keeping Allen beyond this season, Fedor adds. The Cavs inherit his Bird rights, and because he’s restricted they can match any offer he gets on the open market.
Great pick up!!!! Now let’s trade Drummond!!!
Looks like most Cavs fans are thinking alike right now
It would be easier to trade Mcgee.
Congrats to GM Altman, even if he wasn’t in most of the negotiations. ;)
If McGee goes to GSW yall gotta bow to me lol
This dude
Golden St could use McGee. Looney has been straight trash.
Going to miss the Fro on the Nets. I hope the Beard can help grab the ring.
Lol harden looks like allen if you flipped his head upside down
Wolves have nobody to handle Grizzlies big man
tonight
Without two best players in Morant and Jackson Grizzlies beat Wolves at full strength
Huge pickup for the Cavs, between Sexton, Garland and Allen they could be a highly competitive team in a year or two. Not bad for giving up a late 1st rounder and Exum.
honestly, I’m a big fan of Allen. I think Cleveland got a lot better by adding Allen and Prince. Both help them significantly in areas of need
Great get, Allen plays hard every night. Good on the boards, great shot blocker, moves well, only deficiency is his perimeter shot. Should work hard at it.
Jarrett Allen has much more trade value than Kelly Oubre because he is restricted free agent and has rookie contract
Fedor is a perpetual bulls**t salesman. He might as well be employed by the Cavaliers. Whenever the Cavaliers acquire a player, he claims the Cavaliers had targeted that player in the past. And they got their man!! Give me a break.
Tough on Drummond who will now likely be traded. Thought he was a good fit with Sexland and Okoro so far this year. Plus he’s having a really nice year, career high in points and assists.
Think Jarrett Allen at 22 will be a really nic build block tho
Drummond is awful on offense. He truly is bad, he demands the ball and once he has it our whole offensive game shuts down and he always takes a bad shot!!!! No joke every time he’s in the paint and he posts up he takes a bad shot (even when he makes it).
But what are you going to trade Drummond for now? He’s on an expiring deal and is very expensive.
not gonna lie, after their rookie season, as a Heat fan, it could have been argued you would potentially consider Jarrett Allen slightly ahead of Bam. I’m surprised Brooklyn didnt make more of an effort to keep him.
I will be happy to accept that even though it’s a repeat comment and Bam could play F with the right C.
I like Allen more then Myles Turner!— and Turner would have been costly.
Allen is so good at the semilob catch & score he could help Darius Garland be a good allaround PG.
Allen is legit starting center. He fits Cavs young core. Drummond can bring in value at TD. Even Love can be moved. Cavs are in a good place right now. I’m sure a few teams would like to pick up McGee. I have always said Cavs should load up for 2021 draft. This could be the way now.
Nice steal for the cavs, a pretty late first, a second and exum for a young starting center
Sounds like there might be some smart front office people in Cleveland now
Drummond can finish the year and sign with nets or clippers for vet minimum. Solved.