There is something to be said about a player who just goes out every night and does what you expect them to do. Jarrett Allen is one of those guys for the Cleveland Cavaliers, even in a year where he saw his shot-making efficiency take a slight dip. Nevertheless, it was another positive season for Allen on both ends of the floor. The question now, heading into the offseason, is whether he will be on the roster next season.
Regular Season Stats
For the sixth-straight season in a Cavaliers uniform, Allen averaged at least 13 points and eight rebounds per game. His offensive game is what it always has been, a rim-runner and paint janitor that can be relied upon to get up for the routine dunker spot lob. He profiled as an ideal fit next to James Harden in the starting lineup, feasting on the excellent pick-and-roll passing chops of the Cavs’ point guard. Sure enough, Allen’s stats ballooned after Harden arrived in Cleveland to round out an otherwise excellent season.
Prior to the Harden trade, Allen was having a fairly underwhelming regular season for his standards. The shot-making efficiency was below his usually elite standards, and the rebounds had taken a step back as well. Allen’s defense has always been at least good, if not elite on certain nights. After the All-Star break, Allen’s defense did pick up in a meaningful way — falling in line with what was a career month of February. In fact, in that month, Allen averaged 22.3 points per game on 74 percent shooting, adding 11.5 rebounds per game and more than a block per contest with nine double-doubles.
Another ho-hum, solid season for the Cavs’ starting center, but the story will always go back to postseason performances. The lights were not too bright for Allen in these playoffs, as he scored in double-digits in 13 games and notched a double-double in three of those.
If there was a knock on Allen this past season, it would be that he was available for only 56 games, down from the full 82 he played the year prior. That is the lowest number of games played for Allen since 2021-22, despite playing 27.1 minutes per game. But Allen was very good in the games he played.
Allen’s future will be the big topic of the offseason for the Cavs, as his contract is excellent value and he has a very high floor with generally good activity on both ends. It is fair to wonder if Allen’s play this past season impacts the front office’s plans to reshape the roster. The Cavs could, and likely will, run things back with the front court of Allen and Evan Mobley. That would not be the worst thing in the world, especially if the Cavs get another season like they just did out of Allen. Based on his career stats and consistency, assume more of the same for next year.
Grade: B+
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