The Cavaliers‘ fast start has raised expectations in Cleveland, Jarrett Allen tells Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Coming off a 22-50 season, the Cavs were hoping to improve enough to contend for a spot in the play-in round, but the team is now 9-8 and has started to aim a little higher.
“We’re definitely shooting for the playoffs,” Allen said. “First, I think people thought, let’s just get in for the play-in game, be one of those ninth or tenth seeds. But now, I guess you’ve got to be in the play-in if you’re seven or eight, but we want to be in one of the old seven or eight playoff spots.”
Allen covers several topics in the interview, including the five-year, $100MM contract he signed during the offseason. Although he was a restricted free agent and the Cavaliers could have waited to match any offer on the open market, they were aggressive and reached a deal quickly to keep him in Cleveland.
“I never thought that would happen,” Allen said of being a $100MM player. “I’m not saying that I didn’t believe in my basketball abilities. I didn’t know that people saw that in me on the court. And you know, now that I have it, nothing’s really changed. I’m still who I am. I’m still going to be who I am on the court. There’s a reason I got the $100 million. I don’t think I need to go out there and shoot 20 threes a game. It’s a dream, and we’ll keep it that way.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- The Cavaliers‘ offseason addition of Ricky Rubio has become more important with the loss of Collin Sexton for the rest of the season, writes Kevin Pelton of ESPN. Rubio has ranked second on the team in minutes played in the four games since Sexton was injured.
- Recent rumors about a possible Ben Simmons trade don’t make sense for the Pistons, according to Rod Beard of The Detroit News. Primarily a ball-handler on offense, Simmons isn’t a good fit for a team that already has Killian Hayes and Cade Cunningham, Beard points out. There are also questions about how Simmons would affect the culture of a young team and concerns about taking on his hefty contract.
- Part of the Bulls‘ improvement on defense stems from more playing time for Javonte Green and the trade for Derrick Jones Jr., since both Green and Jones can guard multiple positions, observes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. They have been asked to contribute more to the team’s interior defense while Nikola Vucevic is sidelined with COVID-19. ‘‘Position-less basketball, right?’’ Green said. ‘‘That’s our job. We’re not here to completely shut down anybody; we’re here to do our part in making life hard on (opposing big men) while (center Nikola Vucevic) is out.”
I repeat and repeat
If you want Simmons, you don’t talk about two things
1 he is not a good fit for the team
2.he has hefty contract
Ricky Rubio. Playing great for any team not based on Minnesota. Really unfortunate that we could never get the best out of him. Glad he’s gotten better fits in Utah, Phoenix and Cleveland.
To be fair nobody has ever gotten THIS Rubio before. Dude is shooting his mind out from 3 like never before. He has solved his biggest flaw with his game and has looked great since the Olympics.
I wouldn’t want Ben around my younger players either, tbh. At this point, he is what he is. He won’t ever develop a jump shot, which I honestly don’t think he needs. He just needs to start making his FTs at a decent clip. Regardless, I just don’t see the fit with most teams. This latest mental health fiasco has killed whatever remaining trade value Ben had left.
He has trade value. It’s just that every GM knows the 76ers are between a rock and another rock because of the fiasco, and everyone knows there may be an opportunity to fleece them. But Ben’s an all-star and in the top percentile of defensive players in the WORLD, so they know his value.
Of course every GM in the league that would love to have him would say his trade value has plummeted.
If we just ignore everything that has happened between him and the team, plus everything else that’s preventing the Sixers from finding a taker, then Ben Simmons would have plenty of trade value.
Despite his enormous talent on defense and his passing skills, all the negatives simply outweigh the positives. Morey’s basically screwed.
I mean, his trade value HAS plummeted. He is refusing to play because of mental health issues. That kind of thing tends to make you less coveted.
A year ago today, Ben Simmons had the second most trade value of any Sixers player.
Today, Ben Simmons has the second most trade value of any Sixers player.
His trade value hasn’t plummeted.
And he doesn’t have mental issues (other than being scared of free throws lol!)
What you just wrote is the definition of spurious data.
You’ll be ok, Curt Rowe
One team that would possibly make sense, but not sure if they’d do it is San Antonio. Simmons and some picks for Murray would certainly help the Sixers out financially and at the PG position. Simmons is someone Pops could work with, and Ben’s style is a fit for what Pops usually looks for and values. Sixers would have to sweeten it with some draft picks, but it’s certainly something to be entertained if offered.
Maxey has looked pretty good so far, and I like anyone named Currys game. I would think at this point a good wing who is long enough to switch 2-5 would be the target. I think they solved PG already but need another good wing that can shoot and play D. Siakim over Murray on the fit.
I think there’s 20+ Gm’s that have Theon23’s approach written in in pen but it only takes 1 as we always see every free agency/deadline
Something will get done this deadline Imo. If Minnesota could protect KAT and AntEdwards and acquire Ben I think that team would have the nuts and bolts of a solid team by next year (Top 6 potential) Russell a first and another player from Min w possibly a 3rd team involved to smooth out the edges could make this a Reality, something Minny hasn’t had for quite some time .
My best trade Idea
76ers get Wood, Eric Gordon and Bucks unprotected pick from Rockets
Rockets get Prince, Beverley, and 2022 Wolves unprotected First
Wolves get Simmons
If any of Wolves star is injured, Rockets get diamond next June
When your best idea is still a terrible idea….
I don’t think the Rockets want to trade Wood, Gordon, and the Bucks first round pick in 2023 for Patrick Beverley, Prince, and the Wolves first round pick in 2022. Considering their 1-15 start, Houston should already get a pretty high draft pick next summer.
All it takes is 2 or 3 suitors for Ben’s value to increase. If that happens the 76ers may get close to a fair deal. The risk of not acquiring Ben may cause a team to sweeten any deal. The circumstances under which this happens is unknown right now but as the teams figure where they stand and what they think they can accomplish, someone will pull the trigger on Simmons. He needs to get his butt back on the court to get in basketball shape, at the very least, to justify another team making a good offer.
The Sixers may get close to a fair deal, but it still won’t be what Morey has been asking for: a top young prospect/star player plus draft compensation.
#FreeBenSimmons
He is free. Free to retire and go sell used cars, free to honor his contract, free to continue to put like a teenager and not get paid.
What he is not free to do is to sign a contract and then demand s trade when his feelings are hurt because his coach and team mates expect him to take his job seriously and work to improve so he justifies a huge contract – in other words, act like a professional.