Jarrett Allen is a great player ... but should be traded in the offseason

[GeorgeMarcus]

This isn't about solving a problem in CLE because there is no problem. Allen and Mobley play just fine together. The idea here is to maximize asset utility and return Allen-level production from a player who complements/enhances Mobley's skillset rather than just coexist with him.

Why do I feel this way? Well, as much as I believe the "modern era" gets exaggerated, the evolution of defense has set the stage for Mobley to do more damage as a 5. Gone are the days of more simplistic m2m schemes that shackle Cs to the interior. Today's schemes have become much more switch heavy, sort of m2m/zone hybrids, where players who protect the paint AND defend in space are incredibly valuable. They can be less valuable however when paired together because spread offense will force 1 of the 2 to defend the perimeter at all times. Just because he can defend in space doesn't mean you want him floating away from the basket all game, nor do you want that from Allen. Rim protection is different from most elements of defense in that it's more prone to redundancy and diminishing returns.

There's also an argument to be made about offensive spacing, but ultimately it's defense IMO that would justify this course of action. As long as Allen attracts a worthwhile return, which I assume he would on such a reasonable contract.

What do you think- yay or nay? (Translation: tell me why I'm wrong)

[KGtabake]

Allen is the best American big behind AD, Bam.
He's an elite rim protector, great rebounder, good one on one defender. He has a couple of moves around the basket, so that his points aren't all from alley oops.
Still developing. Only trending upwards.
No you don't trade him. Mobley will be fine.

[chilluminati]

Agreed, and there are a couple of good wings over on the Nets roster that might be ripe for the picking in the off season. Imagine getting either Bridges or Johnson on the Cavs, that'd be something else. Not sure if that works moneywise, but offloading Jarrett to shore up the wing positions could be what puts that team over the top.

[76ciology]

Nay. You can’t play Mitchell-Garland backcourt’s defense without double big frontcourt to compensate it’s poor defense.

The big problem is at the SF position.

[JordansBulls]

Watch on YouTube

[AleksandarN]

Almost every team in league would want Allen. That guy is a hell of a defender. Heck I bet lakers would trade AD for Allen.

[MavsDirk41]

Not at all. I would keep Allen. Cleveland has a great young core with Mobley, Mitchell, and Garland. Just tweak the roster around these guys. Mobley is a 4/5 while Allen is a true 5 anyway.

[Memories]

Almost every team in league would want Allen. That guy is a hell of a defender. Heck I bet lakers would trade AD for Allen.

Uh..no.

[Phreak50]

The word 'great' is thrown around so loosely.

[hyper316]

Agreed, and there are a couple of good wings over on the Nets roster that might be ripe for the picking in the off season. Imagine getting either Bridges or Johnson on the Cavs, that'd be something else. Not sure if that works moneywise, but offloading Jarrett to shore up the wing positions could be what puts that team over the top.

Why would Nets want Jarrett Allen when they have Nic Claxton?

[mademan]

eh. Who'd be in the market for a C and looking to pay a premium for it? Raps got Poeltl for a single 1st rounder (lightly protected). Allen might be better, but i dont see teams paying a big price for him

[Raps in 4]

If the Raptors didn't just trade for Poeltl, and rebuilding was off the table, I would have done OG + picks for Allen.

[threethehardway]

But Evan Mobley can defend the perimeter effectively

I don't think Evan Mobley is that useful as a center vs. being a forward. I think his overall role on a defense is the same as Giannis, being an elite help defender and being able to switch on the perimeter while a rim protecting center stays at the rim.

I also don't think Evan Mobley's offense will ever be more valuable than his defense unless he becomes a ball handling playmaking forward or an elite shot-creator or a dynamic play finisher.

I think people expected Mobley to be this Chris Bosh/Anthony Davis offense/defense hybrid and he hasn't proven to be that thus people want to take away from what he does best, which is playing elite help defense next to an elite rim protector, so he can be the guy in some capacity.

And what if he's never the guy, what if he's just an elite switchable defensive player and a middling offensive player? Is that that bad of an outcome?

The Cavs defense is number one in the league, there's no reason to change it unless you just wanna see Mobley solo a defense.

[WillyJakkz]

Some people are never satisfied.

CLE fan:"oh let's trade Jarrett Allen"
CLE meets then loses to Philly or the Bucks in the PO's
CLE fan: "We need a C. One who can play defense and not take away shots from Mobley Mitchell and Garland."

[JujitsuFlip]

Strongly disagree, allegedly they're the best defensive team in the league by some metrics.

Cavs issue is they do not have a starting or back-up SF. Ideally both are addressed in the summer, as well as finding a 3rd big man to rotate with Mobley and Allen for like 15 mpg.

If we look at who has spent time at SF this season for them, the roster is completely devoid of any player who really fits the archetype of SF.

[Tripod]

Yeah getting a catch n shoot SF would be perfect fit...but with keeping Allen.

[Richard4444]

eh. Who'd be in the market for a C and looking to pay a premium for it? Raps got Poeltl for a single 1st rounder (lightly protected). Allen might be better, but i dont see teams paying a big price for him

Wolves... not anymore...

[kobe_vs_jordan]

You not getting a better player than Allen in a trade. Centers dont have much value these days. Better off trying to maximize Mobley trade value

[jbk1234]

Mobley is getting a lot of minutes as the center in the second unit, and defensively, the results aren't great. It's pretty easy for opposing teams to scheme a single rim protector away from the basket.

[slicedbread2]

Strongly disagree, allegedly they're the best defensive team in the league by some metrics.

Cavs issue is they do not have a starting or back-up SF. Ideally both are addressed in the summer, as well as finding a 3rd big man to rotate with Mobley and Allen for like 15 mpg.

If we look at who has spent time at SF this season for them, the roster is completely devoid of any player who really fits the archetype of SF.

Damn that's insane.

I'm honestly disappointed in Okoro as I thought that bringing in Donovan Mitchell would not only give Issac more space but more importantly an opportunity to feast and develop that corner 3 and take the next step to being apart of the future core going forward and it hasn't happened. If any Cavaliers fans can explain what's gone wrong it'd be really appreciated.

It's too bad that they couldn't recirculate Love's salary after he wanted to be bought out. Otherwise it could've given them some flexibility but what can you do.

I'm on the side of keep both Mobley and Allen together because they compliment each other insanely well.