The three-year, $91MM contract extension that Jarrett Allen signed on Friday gave the Cavaliers more flexibility if they later decide to break up the Allen-Evan Mobley frontcourt next season, according to Marc Stein in his latest Substack post.
Allen is eligible to traded on February 2 — four days before next season’s deadline. It’s believed that the veteran center was essentially obligated to sign the deal before August 6 as a condition of Cleveland extending him at the maximum amount, Stein adds. If he’d signed his new deal after Aug. 6, Allen would have been ineligible to be traded until the summer of 2025.
We have more from the Central Division:
- In his Eastern Conference power rankings, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press places the Pistons at No. 12 — ahead of the Hornets, Nets and Wizards. While Detroit endured its worst season in franchise history, it shouldn’t be the worst team in the conference next season after a series of offseason moves. Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley should significantly upgrade the outside shooting, Sankofa notes, and Paul Reed adds depth at center. The team’s young core should continue to grow, particularly Cade Cunningham with more help around him.
- Former Heat forward Cole Swider agreed to a non-guaranteed contract with the Pacers on Saturday. He could be in a competition with Kendall Brown for the 15th spot on the roster, Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star opines. Brown, who is also on a non-guaranteed deal, struggled with his perimeter shooting in the Summer League and committed 12 turnovers in five games. Swider, in contrast, played a key role in the Heat’s run to the Summer League title in Las Vegas.
- In case you missed it, the Bulls reportedly haven’t halted their efforts to find a trade partners for Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.
No kidding the Bulls are still trying to trade Lavine and Vuc, what I don’t understand is how its the same VP who gave them those contracts who still has a job
I have to believe the Cavaliers intend to keep Allen. That may change at some point in the future. But for now the pairing with Mobley has 2 benefits. 1 When together they have the best rim defense in the league. If either is hurt both have shown they can take the others slack on defense and rebounding. Mobley has to make teams respect his outside shot to unclog the paint on offense. Last year Mobley started making his mid range shots with ease. His 3 point shot came a long way after he was injured. Before the injury he wasn’t shooting 3’s. When he returned he started shooting the immediately. It was on small volume. That said all of it came the last 2 and a half months of the year. He shot .600 on 2’s so that will always be his bread and butter. The threat of it makes the game better for both Evan and Jarrett. As well as a bunch of players on their team.
Makes perfect sense for CLE. Run it back for now, but retain the flexibility to make a switch as early as this year at the deadline if warranted. I’ve always believed that the big man situation would be best revisited when Mobley emerges as an offensive force. But perhaps there is more to it than these 2 guys. The roster isn’t well balanced, and the asset base isn’t deep.