The Cleveland Cavaliers have officially signed center Jarrett Allen, the team announced on Friday.
According to reports, it’s a five-year deal worth $100 million.
“We spent the last few years maintaining our financial and roster flexibility to put ourselves in a position to acquire and now re-sign a player of Jarrett’s caliber,” said Altman said via a press release. “Since his arrival, Jarrett has fit seamlessly into our culture, and almost instantly, he earned the respect of his coaches and teammates. We took another positive step forward in our pursuit of sustainable success with this signing, as we see Jarrett as an integral piece of our future moving forward.”
The 6-11 center was acquired from Brooklyn as part of a three-team trade back in January. Last season, in 63 games for the Nets and Cavaliers, he averaged career highs in points (12.8), rebounds (10.0), assists (1.7), and minutes (29.6).
Allen, 23, also ranked fifth in the NBA in field goal percentage (.618), ninth in blocks (1.43), 13th in rebounds (10.0), and tied for 19th in double-doubles (25).
Additionally, the four-year veteran was one of only three players in the NBA with at least 10.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, and a 60% field goal percentage. Selected by Brooklyn in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft, Allen has increased his average in points, rebounds, and assists in each season since entering the league.
Cleveland has some decent young talent in Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Evan Mobley, Isaac Okoro, and Allen is excited about the future.
“It can’t be overstated enough that the coaching staff and front office wanted me to be in Cleveland long-term,” said Allen via a press release. “I will forever be grateful for this opportunity, and it’s an honor to continue representing the Cavs and becoming more entrenched into this community. I’m also excited about improving with my teammates. We have some really talented, young, and hungry players in this locker room, and I can’t wait to get back on the court with them to see how far we can take this thing.”
It should be interesting to see what the Allen and Mobley combination looks like on the court. For now, Cleveland is excited about having these two bigs grow together.