Cleveland Cavaliers: Grading their signings in NBA free agency

Cleveland Cavaliers free agency signings No. 2: Jarrett Allen

The Cavaliers really cleaned up on the trade the Houston Rockets had to make with the Brooklyn Nets when James Harden demanded to get out of town. Imagine if someone told you that you could turn Dante Exum and a future second-round pick into Rubio and Jarrett Allen. Prior to last season, they would have laughed you away from the water cooler.

Well, that is exactly what the Cavaliers did and now they have doubled down on Allen, signing him to a five-year, $100 million contract. This is an amazing outcome for the Cavaliers as they have their starting center locked in for the foreseeable future.

While Allen has little to no range on his shot, he is a tremendous rebounder thanks to his leaping ability and positioning. This allows him to collect second-chance points. He also adds vertical spacing for the Cavaliers given that he can finish at the rim on an alley-oop play or just on a good pass.

However, it is his defense that separates Allen from the pack. While he only averages 1.4 blocks per game he alters so many shots in the paint. When he is patrolling near the restricted areas, it takes a brave player to challenge him.

Grade: A