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Cavs overpay for Jarrett Allen but it could’ve been so much worse

By Chad Porto

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 12: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers smiles prior to their game against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on May 12, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 102-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 12: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers smiles prior to their game against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on May 12, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 102-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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The Cavs have agreed on a new deal with Jarrett Allen.

Jarrett Allen got paid on Monday. The 23-year-old defensive specialist signed a five-year, $100 million dollar deal with the Cavs, with him starting at $17 million in his first year of the deal and his last year ending at $22 million. It’s a big nut for a guy like Allen, who has yet to prove he can be a difference-maker on a winning team.

Allen, who came over to Cleveland in a trade to start the 2020-2021 season, averaged 13.2 points and 9.9 rebounds during his first 51 games with the Cavaliers. He’s widely viewed as a big-time defensive player by NBA scouts and experts while being a plus on the defensive side of the floor for the last two full seasons.

The team came to a deal relatively fast with Allen, opting to not let teams like Toronto take a run at him for fear of losing him, or worse, further overpaying for him. Such a contract will already cause some fans to scratch their heads, especially since the Cavaliers just took Evan Mobley third overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. Mobley, like Allen, is a defensive-minded center.

While Allen was paid about $20 million over what they should’ve spent per season, it’s a far cheaper number than a lot got in the NBA.

Jarrett Allen’s contract is a bargain compared to what some other NBA players got

You can expect guys like Trae Young to get their deals, as he agreed to a supermax extension worth about $200 million over the next five years. Yet, Miami went out and seriously overpaid. Think about Allen’s $20 million a year, and now think about the fact that Jimmy Butler is getting $184 million from the Heat, which will end with him getting $50 million in the final year of his contract. No player is worth that much, let alone Butler, let alone at 36 years old.

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Chris Paul re-signed with the Suns for $120 over four years and will be 37 during the upcoming season. Duncan Robinson, like Butler, is also staying in Miami and even though he’s a good NBA player, he signed a $90 million deal for five years. Lonzo Ball is going to Chicago in a sign and trade with a new contract worth $85 million. Kyle Lowry is going to Miami on his own sign and trade and will make $90 million over three years. The Knicks spent $62 million on Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks; while the Spurs gave Doug McDermott $15 million per year over the next three years.

While yes, Allen got more than he deserved, we’re ultimately splitting hairs. Most people agree he deserved $12-$16 million per year, so $20 million isn’t the most horrendous thing ever. Sure, his contract might be spread out so the back end is heavier but according to Spotrac, he’ll make $17 million this year, and $22 million in his final year. Those are very comfortable numbers to live by.

So keep it in perspective, Allen’s deal could’ve been much, much worse.

Next. Cavs: Grading the fit of every rumored NBA free agent linked to team. dark

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