Cavs: Jarrett Allen is just as happy to be here as the fans are to have him

The Cavs acquired Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince from the Nets as part of the James Harden trade and the team’s new center is happy to be wanted.

The Cavs committed the theft of the year by acquiring prized young-center Jarrett Allen from the Brooklyn Nets in a four-team deal that saw prized guard James Harden go from Houston to Brooklyn. The Cavs got one of the best defensive centers in the league, and also acquired a double-digit career scorer in forward Taurean Prince.

The move comes at a time when the Cavs are 6-7 in what is a surprising start to the season, especially since most of the Cavs starting five are out with injuries, and the bench has no depth to it. Many believe that if this team can get healthy at the same time, they could be someone to reckon with.

Talking to reporters on Monday, Allen made it clear on a Zoom call that, while he wished he could’ve played out his career in one place, being in Cleveland made him feel wanted.

"I wasn’t mad. I wasn’t sad either. Just kind of disappointed that I couldn’t have my career in Brooklyn. At the same time, glad I can come to a place like Cleveland, where we’re all growing.It makes me feel wanted. It’s good to be wanted. It’s good that they want to invest in me, invest in my improvement and have me be a part of their organization. I love what the front office is doing. I love how the coaches are teaching us. I can’t wait to play with them."

Allen comes to the Cavs averaging a double-double a game (11.2 points, 10.4 rebounds), largely off the bench (12 games, five starts). Allen isn’t the most impressive scorer, and can’t stretch the court but he’s become one of the better big men in the league and is famed for his defense.

While the arrival of Allen may make some think starter Andre Drummond will be traded, the possibility that both are on this team all year is a possibility and one that should excite fans. Drummond and Allen are two of the best defensive low-post players in the league. With both men on the roster, that’s 48 minutes of prime defense in the paint that no one else in the league could match.

That would mean keeping most teams to the perimeter, where percentages drop.

Fans are excited about Allen’s arrival because it not only bolsters the team this year but in the event that Drummond does leave, gives the Cavs a viable replacement that can slide right in and do some damage.

Now all the Cavs have to do is work on an extension for Allen.