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3 reasons why the Cleveland Cavaliers shouldn’t trade Jarrett Allen

By Chad Porto

Nov 23, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) celebrates after a basket during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) celebrates after a basket during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 30: Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the New York Knicks tries to steal the ball from Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter of the game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 30: Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the New York Knicks tries to steal the ball from Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter of the game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Jarrett Allen is best used with the Cleveland Cavaliers

One of the arguments for trading Jarrett Allen is that he’s an “old school” center. A center that lacks finesse, an offensive touch from outside the paint, and an ability to create opportunities through his passing. Allen can’t do any of that. Allen isn’t Nikola Jokic, but no one but Jokic is. Allen is a sturdy, defensive-minded, and high-motor player. That’s exactly what this team needs.

His job is to plant himself in and around the paint and detour guys from going to the rim and he was very good at doing that during the regular season. Before the Knicks series, everyone thought he was an All-Defensive Team-type player, but all of a sudden after one bad series, he’s not? No, he still is, but the series was too big for the Cavs and it showed with all of the players, not just Allen.

Yet, despite being a great defensive center, his lack of offensive game has fans calling for him to be traded. And to which I ask, who would want someone so bad on offense? The Cavs can upgrade their scoring without trading Allen, so why would you trade Allen, unless it’s because you don’t think he’s that good?

And if he’s not that good, why would another team trade for him? Or at the very least, why would they trade prized assets for Allen? Either Allen is good enough to keep, or he’s so bad he won’t fetch anything back worth having in return. It can’t be both.

You could argue that some teams may get more out of Allen depending on the scheme they run, but to that, I would say that no one got the most out of Allen than the Cavaliers, so why would you think anyone could do better? And if we can see that, don’t you think other NBA teams can?

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