JarrettAllen

Preseason question: Is Allen the connective tissue holding the Cavs together or an emblem of what’s holding them back? Without him, Cleveland wouldn’t have made it to its first Eastern Conference finals since LeBron left. His dominance on the offensive glass made the difference in Game 7 of a too-close-for-comfort first-round series against the Raptors; his steadfast production against the Pistons in the second round was a stark contrast to the implosion of the All-NBA center opposite him. Even in an age when players across positional lines are more dynamic than ever, there is value in Allen’s brand of no-frills two-way efficiency. Only Rudy Gobert has had a higher field goal percentage since the 2019-20 season. But, like Gobert, Allen becomes a convenient scapegoat when his team fails to meet expectations in the postseason. Any question about Allen’s future in Cleveland is actually a question about Evan Mobley: Is Allen’s presence obstructing the runway for Mobley’s talent, or is his willingness to do the dirty work exactly what a do-it-all type like Mobley requires to play freely? The Cavs will find their final answer soon enough. Allen, still just 28, has three years on his contract and an average annual salary that sits outside the top 10 highest at his position—there will certainly be suitors if Allen’s time in Cleveland is indeed approaching its end.