Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, a restricted free agent this summer, could be a target for the Raptors, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, who says Toronto is expected to be one of Allen’s “strong” suitors. The Raptors are in clear need of an upgrade at the five spot.
Charania hears that the Cavaliers and Allen are both interested in a long-term agreement, so the Raptors may have to overpay if they hope to pry the 23-year-old Allen away from Cleveland. Charania notes that Toronto has tried to trade for Allen on prior occasions.
The Raptors could create upwards of $25MM in cap room this summer to make a run at Allen, but that would require the team to renounce Kyle Lowry and likely waive Chris Boucher.
After being dealt to Cleveland courtesy of the Nets early in the 2020/21 season as part of the trade that sent All-Star James Harden to Brooklyn, Allen thrived while with the underperforming Cavaliers. He averaged 13.2 PPG, 9.9 RPG, and 1.4 BPG across 51 contests.
Having let veterans Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol depart for the two Los Angeles teams during the 2020 offseason, the Raptors pivoted by adding Aron Baynes and Alex Len to shore up the middle. Len was eventually waived. When Baynes proved overtaxed, the Raptors opted for small-ball lineups with Boucher frequently playing center.
IMO
Overpaid and overhyped power rankings
Jarrett Allen real $60m market $90m
John Collins real $95m market $121m
Lonzo Ball real $60m market $85m
Norman Powell real $60m market $85m
Duncan Robinson real $60m market $80m
Normal Powell real is 4/$85M, he’s gonna get the FVV/MB contract.
Stay away from Mobley or we’re going to take Allen. Maybe the Raptors had more leverage than we thought in this draft.
Cavs draft ahead of the Raptors. What are you referring to?
Obviously. But if the Raptors top C targets are Mobley and Allen, the Raptors would likely force CLE’s hand on one or the other. Doesn’t make sense for CLE to spend 4/80 and draft their C of the future.
@wall
no real leverage. some think Mobley and Allen cab coexist. As a principle, I like to see the prospect perform and produce nerdier I jettison off the proven vet. Cavs will match any reasonable offer regardless of whom they draft. Having too much good talent can also be a good problem. I just don’t want them to overpay Allen and claim top broke too retain Sexton whom I think should be the offseason priority.
Mobley is good enough to play PF! If he can get is 3 point% he will make a really great stretch 4!
I think he means if the Cavs draft Mobley then the raps are going to offer Allen a big contract
So the Cavs match the Raptors offer!
He is saying that if the Cavs take Mobley, the Raptors will overpay for Allen and steal him away. Which, I mean..ok. Allen is a really nice player. But I think his ceiling is Mobley’s floor so.. I’ll take that tradeoff if I have to if I’m the Cavs.
The market for Allen will be what it will be. He’ll be an asset at that price or he won’t be. Raps would only create laughter by suggesting otherwise.
Masai is not spending 20m per year on a center lol. It just doesn’t make sense to me how people still have this fetish for centers. The highest paid one in this years finals was making 11m per year and last year the minimum.
Masai recently spent more the $20m for both ibaka and gasol
I think he means 20m for one center. At least I would hope
Correct.
what a weird way to look at it. Giannis effectively was their center even if not by name. 6’11 and led team in rebounds and blocks. Dayton is still on his rookie deal. Centers should be revered especially the elite ones that can score in a variety of ways, rebound and defend.
But I do agree that really good defensive Centers aren’t appreciated much even those that are walking double doubles like Drummond and Howard.
The fact that you mentioned Giannis proves my point. Ayton got a 50 peice dropped on his head imagine if the nets play KD at the 5. When it’s all said and done I am not relying on throwing the ball in the post to win a championship. No center in the past 10 years has led their team to the finals, so why overpay for one?? If Jarrett Allen doesn’t want 10-12m per season then adios, BYE!
You’re limiting your thinking. Giannis may not be listed as a C but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t perform the actions of a C. First off let’s admit that Giannis and KDs are unicorns. But in the case of Giannis while he’s not listed as a C he’s still a 6’11 guy that rebounds, blocks shots and is a rim protector. So to say C are irrelevant or don’t play a large part on a winning team is a falsehood. Yes, teams like the GSW didn’t need a true C to win but they’re an outlier by defacto. Not every team is going to have elite 3pt shooters and a cerebral power/point forward like Draymond. Size is still a wanted commodity in the NBA.
I absolutely do not want to pay Allen 5/$100 but when Tristan Thompson was getting $14-$17 mil a few years ago then I don’t see Allen accepting less.
The article saying the Raptors would waive Boucher makes me not even consider anything about this valid. Boucher is on one of the best value deals in the whole NBA.
It doesn’t say they WOULD waive Boucher. It says they’d have to in order to maximize their cap room. Keeping him would leave them with about $18MMish in cap room — likely not enough to make an offer the Cavs wouldn’t match.
So take the offer and draft Mobley. Mobley will have a better career. Allen is ready now. Where it will take 3-4 for Mobley to show. I would take a good offer. Cavs are rebuilding anyway. If Green is gone, who they want. Then you can see what they offer.
Could be Toronto making the Cavs think about taking Mobley so Suggs can fall to them. Should be some interesting chess between the two teams as we head to the draft Thursday.