What's going on in Cleveland?

A mysterious and fascinating extension for trade machine darling Jarrett Allen.

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

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Jarrett Allen — a popular name in trade rumors this summer — has instead signed a lucrative extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers, for three years, $91 million. He was already under contract for two more years; this deal stretches his contract to five years for basically $131 million, which is a pretty fair deal in today’s market given Allen’s current value.

The odd thing here is that Allen was likely already quite tradable before the extension with a two-year, $40 million contract. The longer deal at good value might make Allen, who is 26, more attractive to some teams who have cap flexibility to take on a $30 million player in the out years. For some teams, the opposite may be true: given the history of defense-first, non-stretch centers flaming out or becoming much less effective in their late 20s, these clubs might get nervous and be less interested.

A plausible theory is that Cleveland already has a deal in mind — possibly even negotiated — that would happen in early February, with the landing spot wanting Allen locked in for longer. It’s like an extend-and-trade with a delay timer on it. That’s a theory, at least.