Hardwood Houdini
Fansided

Boston Celtics Free Agency: Pick-a-player in the central division

By Nick Swanson

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 12: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives against Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during their game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on May 12, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 102-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 12: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives against Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during their game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on May 12, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 102-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Cavaliers – Jarrett Allen

It was pretty obvious that Mo Wagner and Luke Kornet wouldn’t work out for the C’s as soon as they were traded. Neither player has a consistent game that translates to the NBA level at all.

Running barely G-League caliber players in your rotation regularly isn’t going to lead to success. The Celtics learned that early with Wagner but have yet to figure out the same with Kornet. Jarrett Allen could be the answer.

The difference between the Wagner and Kornet duo and Jarrett Allen is that Allen has actually shown that he can play NBA level basketball. He showed it time and time again in his time on the Brooklyn Nets and has shown it in the games he’s played for the Cavaliers this season.

He’s not the now-prototypical stretch five that teams look for in today’s NBA but his offense comes fluidly with his back to the basket. Allen’s a monster in the paint and a very underrated rebounder.

Again, only being 23 years old helps him out as he has plenty of time and room to grow. With where he his right now, he has the potential to be a future All-Star caliber player but until he’s in the right offense, he won’t reach that potential.

We’ve seen what Brad Stevens can do with Tatum, Brown, Daniel Theis and Robert Williams. Given the opportunity, he can turn Allen into a bona fide stud who could help bring the Boston Celtics their second championship of the 21st century.

Home/Celtics News