Jarrett Allen plays a crucial role in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ lineup. As a dynamic rim-runner, he has built a dominant frontcourt duo with Evan Mobley, with both big men serving as the backbone of Kenny Atkinson’s defense.
However, Allen faced uncertainty about his future with the team during the 2024 offseason. In a February 28 interview with Andscape’s Marc J. Spears, he opened up about his mindset throughout the summer.
“I understand the business of all this. I understand that people are going to make moves to try to elevate the team however they feel possible,” Allen said. “And if I wasn’t part of that plan, so be it. I’ve been a part of the Brooklyn trade that brought James Harden to Brooklyn. So, I’m not saying I’m numb to it. But I understand how things go.”
Luckily for Allen, Atkinson valued his presence and was eager to retain him after stepping in for J.B. Bickerstaff.
“There was some talk before the season of whether these two bigs can work together, J.A. [Allen] and Evan,” Atkinson told Spears during the same article. “We had the discussions. We talked about it. I believed it could work because I knew [Allen’s] skillset. I also knew how important a versatile lineup is in the playoffs. So, me and J.A. talked about it.”
Allen has been a powerhouse for Cleveland this season, putting up impressive numbers across 65 games. He’s averaging 13.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1 block per game while shooting an efficient 70% from the field, with most of his attempts coming near the rim.
However, leading up to the Feb. 6 trade deadline, the Cavaliers brought in De’Andre Hunter. Since Hunter’s arrival, Allen has often found himself on the bench during Cleveland’s closing lineups.
“It’s not really difficult for me,” Allen told Cleveland.com when asked about his role change on March 7. “I trust Kenny (Atkinson) wholeheartedly. Sometimes I wish I was out there. Sometimes I understand why I’m not. At the end of the day, it’s not my job to decide. It’s my job to do the best I can whenever my number is called…I’ve always had the mindset of doing what is best for the team.”
Allen will likely get his chances in the closing lineup, especially when Atkinson opts for a bigger unit to match up against certain opponents. Despite the adjustment, Allen seems to have embraced his modified role for the team’s benefit. With Cleveland riding its second 15-game win streak of the season, his decision appears to be paying off.
In a conversation with Cleveland.com, Donovan Mitchell praised Allen’s reliability, calling him “Mr. Consistent.”
“He is Mr. Consistent,” Mitchell said. “He is always going to be there for us. He’s the ultimate team guy. No matter what happens, he finishes or doesn’t finish, he is always going to be there, always going to have a smile on his face, always ready. Gotta give him a lot of credit. Not many bigs who are All-Stars are able to be that selfless. It’s a blessing to play with him. We all know how rare that is.”
At 28, Mitchell has been outstanding for the Cavaliers this season. Across 60 games, he’s putting up 24.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while shooting 45.1% from the field and 38.4% from beyond the arc. His impact has been a major factor in Cleveland emerging as a top contender for the 2025 NBA championship.
Of course, Allen has also played a key role. Still, it will be intriguing to see how the Cavaliers approach the postseason and whether they can build on their dominant regular-season performance.
