Cavs News: Jarrett Allen’s Massive Injury Decision Against Team’s Advice Could Jeopardize Cleveland Future

The Boston Celtics did not drag things longer as they finished 113-98 tonight and advanced to the next stage in the playoffs. The Cleveland Cavaliers barely stood any chance. As per the injury report, not one of those on the injury list was available for the morning shootaround, either. But what’s got the Cavaliers fans and the franchise very concerned is Jarrett Allen’s staunch refusal towards a team’s suggestion for their best defender.

According to The Athletic’s reporters, Shams Charania, Joe Vardon, and Jason Lloyd, “Some members of the Cavs were frustrated with Jarrett Allen after he ‘refused an injection to try and numb the pain and play’ through his rib injury.” Allen has been off the floor for eight straight games. His ill luck started in the first-round playoffs with the Orlando Magic.

Game 1 saw him get hit in the ribs and then a Franz Wagner elbow to the said ribs again in Game 4. He’s been on the injury report since then. Although the team regularly shared the hope of their best defender suiting up, game time saw him sidelined. As the ‘City of Champions’ got ready to give their final opportunity the best shot, the All-Star center’s help would have been much appreciated.

The Cavs would have thought that even if they were going down, they could do so with dignity. And Jarrett Allen could’ve really aided them. But his apparent refusal of the opportunity frustrated everyone. However bleak it looked.

Under such circumstances, many wonder what the next step is for a team with serious title aspirations.

What’s next for the Cleveland Cavaliers and JB Bickerstaff?

The immediate talk following playoff disappointment would be how the coach’s job is in danger. The narrative isn’t any different here, either. Taking over from John Beilein in 2020, J. B. Bickerstaff had an enormous responsibility. The franchise was in the middle of posting the worst record in the NBA over three years. He quickly got to work, and they saw stability.

However, it did not last long. Many veteran players among the Cavaliers were annoyed at how Bickerstaff treated them. As far as they were concerned, the ‘216’ were ready to aim for the Larry O’Brien Trophy and their coach was still stuck teaching them the ropes as one would with a young team, sources revealed to The Athletic. 

Regardless of the chatter, J. B. remains unaffected. “No one has told me I’m not (the coach), so I’ll keep showing up until they tell me not to,” he said after the team’s Wednesday loss. Yet, this isn’t the only problem they will have to tackle. Donovan Mitchell is under contract for the coming season and has a $37 million player option under his belt in 2025-26. If he so wishes, Mitch could sign the four-year extension now.

In case he doesn’t, Cleveland will be at risk of either trading him or losing him as a free agent in 2025. If the locker room talk is to be believed, Donovan does seem intent on getting a ring with the Cavs. “Donovan is playing for his legacy as a winner; that’s all he wants to do,” was the observation of one teammate earlier in the season.

All of this is just scraping the surface. There are more matters Cleveland president, Koby Altman and his team need to address. Hopefully, the result will be a serious championship run next season.