Cavs Make Jarrett Allen Restricted Free Agent

In what is viewed as a formality, the Cavaliers have extended a qualifying offer to center Jarrett Allen, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

The qualifying offer is worth $7.7 million, with a cap hold of $11.73 million, and makes Allen a restricted free agent. Cleveland will now have the right to match any offer Alle receives from a rival team. He could also be signed outright, before another team gets a chance.

Allen, 23, was acquired by the Cavs in the multiteam trade early in the season centered on star guard James Harden and the Nets. Allen’s arrival eventually resulted in the benching and contract buyout of fellow center Andre Drummond.

“Allen will one of the more attractive names on the restricted free agent market but a suitor will likely have to deliver a giant offer sheet to him to make the Cavs think twice about matching it,” wrote Dana Gauruder of Hoops Rumors.

Allen averaged 13.2 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 51 games with Cleveland. He is expected to be retained even if the Cavs should use the No. 3 overall draft pick on USC’s Evan Mobley, whose best position is center, one team executive told Hoops Wire.

The Hornets, Mavericks, Kings, Raptors and Timberwolves are among those expected to pursue Allen.

“Re-signing him to a long-term deal is an offseason priority and in anticipation of leaguewide interest, members of the front office have sent clear signals about a willingness to pay to keep him in Cleveland,” Fedor reported.