As the Cleveland Cavaliers attempt to cement their core and retain their impressive length along the front line, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that fourth-year center Jarrett Allen has agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract to remain in Cleveland.
Allen, 23-years-old, was acquired by the Cavs in January as part of a four-team trade headlined by the Houston Rockets and All-NBA guard James Harden.
In the deal, Cleveland only had to surrender guard Dante Exum, a 2022 first-round pick (to the Rockets) and a 2024 second-round pick (to the Brooklyn Nets) while acquiring Allen and forward Taurean Prince (since traded in a package for veteran playmaker Ricky Rubio).
Last season, Allen continued to emerge as one of the league’s better shot-blockers after posting at least three blocks in 10 games and at least one block in 51 contests. By the end of his 2020-21 campaign, Allen amassed career-highs of 12.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game (while averaging 1.0 block per game as well).
Allen’s chemistry with Cavs fan favorite Darius Garland is also likely another reason for his return, as the duo managed to establish a consistent and impressive connection in their short time together.
