Jarrett Allen’s Brutal Confession on Nets-Cavs Trade While 6’9 Star Prayed for Houston: “Cleveland of All Places?”

The Cleveland Cavaliers have looked the real deal this season. With the season entering its final phase, the Cavaliers currently occupy the 2nd spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The Cavs have hit a purple patch of form, as they have won 20 of their last 25 games. This impressive streak of results is even more remarkable when taking into account that key players like Evan Mobley and Darius Garland were sidelined for most of the games.

In their absence, Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen stepped up. While Mitchell handled the offense, Allen anchored the Cavs’ suffocating defense. Under the leadership of HC J. B. Bickerstaff, Cleveland have become one of the league’s best defensive teams. In fact, they possess the second best defense in the NBA, with a defensive rating of 111.2. Jarrett Allen’s exceptional durability and defensive abilities have played a pivotal role in Cleveland’s surge to the second seed.

However, the 6’9” center wasn’t too pleased upon learning about his trade from Brooklyn Nets to Cleveland. During a recent interview with JJ Redick, Allen revealed that he was hoping to be traded to Houston instead of Cleveland. He said, “I just didn’t know it was going to be Cleveland. And I’m like, I get to go home back to Texas, back to Houston. Then Sean calls me and he’s like, you going to Cleveland. I’m like, Cleveland of all places?”

However, Allen credited current head coach, J. B. Bickerstaff, for helping him to settle in. He said, “I was able to make an identity. JB, not saying that he handed me the keys, but he’s like ‘go out there and have fun. Play your type of basketball. Just go out there and be yourself.’” With the Cavs and Allen in stellar form, could Cleveland mount a surprising assault on the 2024 NBA title?

Are the Cavaliers title contenders?

In light of their current form, Cavaliers have looked like legitimate title contenders. The current Cavaliers roster boasts the most talented group of players since the LeBron James era. Additionally, this Cavaliers team achieved the milestone of being the first since 2018 to compete in the playoffs.

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With Cavs being the second seed, they will most probably be handed a favorable first-round draw. Cavaliers’ strong defensive play will serve as a solid foundation for their postseason aspirations. However, their subpar offense could prove to be their Achilles heel. At the moment, an NBA title for Cavs looks highly improbable.