Cavaliers secure Jarrett Allen with three-year contract extension

The Cleveland Cavaliers have locked up another piece of their core.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cavaliers signed centre Jarrett Allen to a three-year, $91-million maximum extension on Wednesday.

The move will guarantee Allen $131 million over the next five seasons.

Allen, 26, averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks over 77 regular season games for Cleveland in 2023-24, helping the team make its second consecutive post-season appearance.

The one-time All-Star was limited in the playoffs by a rib injury, which kept him out of the Cavaliers’ conference semifinal loss to the Boston Celtics.

Allen is the third player Cleveland has extended this off-season, joining Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley as the Cavaliers’ core going forward.

The Cavaliers traded for Allen during the 2020-21 season as part of the Kyrie Irving trade with the Brooklyn Nets. The following year, Allen was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

Cleveland is coming off a season in which it finished as the fourth seed in the East, winning 48 games before taking down the Orlando Magic in a seven-game series.

The team moved on from coach J.B. Bickerstaff earlier in the off-season, replacing him with Kenny Atkinson, who was Allen’s head coach in Brooklyn during the first three years of his NBA career.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have made a significant move to secure their future by signing center Jarrett Allen to a three-year contract extension. The deal is reportedly worth $100 million, making Allen one of the highest-paid players on the team.

Allen, who was acquired by the Cavaliers in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets last season, has quickly become a key player for the team. The 23-year-old center has shown tremendous growth and potential, averaging 13.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game last season.

By locking up Allen with a long-term contract, the Cavaliers are signaling their commitment to building around the young center. With Allen anchoring the defense and providing a strong presence in the paint, the team is hoping to make significant strides in the upcoming seasons.

In addition to his on-court contributions, Allen is also known for his work ethic and positive attitude, making him a valuable asset both on and off the court. His leadership and professionalism have earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches, further solidifying his role as a cornerstone of the Cavaliers’ future.

With Allen now under contract for the next three years, the Cavaliers can focus on building a competitive team around him. The front office will likely look to add more talent through the draft and free agency to complement Allen’s skills and help elevate the team to playoff contention.

Overall, the Cavaliers’ decision to extend Jarrett Allen’s contract is a smart move that sets the team up for success in the years to come. With Allen’s talent and potential, the Cavaliers have a strong foundation to build upon as they strive to become a competitive force in the NBA once again.