CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs’ frontcourt has been their identity, but a difficult financial reality is forcing the organization toward a franchise-altering decision.
The latest Wine and Gold Talk podcast dives into the increasingly likely scenario that Jarrett Allen — defensive anchor and fan favorite — could be the odd man out as Evan Mobley’s development accelerates.
“If you look at the Cavs financial situation from afar and you’re another NBA executive, you’re saying to yourself they are going to get to a point where they just can’t afford all four of them,” Chris Fedor explained about the Cavs’ Core Four on the podcast. “So who is it that goes? It’s not going to be Donovan. It’s not going to be Evan. The expendable ones logic would tell you are Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland.”
The Cavaliers are already the only team in the second apron, and Allen’s contract escalation presents a ticking financial time bomb. His extension kicks in next year, starting at $28 million and increasing to $32 million in subsequent seasons.
With Evan Mobley developing into a more physical presence seemingly capable of handling the full-time center role, the luxury of dedicating roughly 35% of the salary cap to two players who increasingly occupy the same space becomes questionable.
What makes this situation particularly tricky is the timing of any potential Allen trade. His value remains high now but could plummet if his role diminishes in crucial moments.
“What if the Cavs decide in the conference finals or NBA Finals that, in this series, Jarrett Allen’s like a 20-25 minute per game player and he’s not going to close games,” Jimmy Watkins pointed out. “I think his value goes down. So with there’s a kind of a tricky needle to thread here.”
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The additions of Larry Nance Jr. and Thomas Bryant this offseason provide the Cavs flexibility to experiment with different frontcourt alignments — potentially giving them a glimpse of what a post-Allen future might look like.
While neither player replicates Allen’s elite rim protection and rebounding, their combined contributions on team-friendly deals could provide better financial value as the Cavaliers navigate the punitive second apron.
Rival executives are already circling, as reported by Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. Allen’s combination of defensive impact and offensive efficiency makes him an attractive trade target for teams looking to bolster their frontcourt.
For Cleveland’s front office, the decision ultimately comes down to a brutal but necessary calculus.
“I wonder if the Cavs are eventually looking at the situation, saying, we like Jarrett … We want to have him on this team, but do we need him?” Fedor said. “And I think at some point as an organization, you have to start asking yourself those kinds of difficult questions.”
The situation mirrors what happened this past offseason with Ty Jerome — a player the Cavaliers wanted to keep but ultimately couldn’t afford. Now, with Allen’s contract escalation on the horizon and Mobley’s star trajectory pointing upward, Cleveland faces a similar but much more consequential decision.
The podcast discussion makes clear that while no move appears imminent, the financial realities of the NBA’s new CBA are forcing tough choices on even the most talented rosters.
Want to hear the full breakdown of Jarrett Allen’s future in Cleveland and the difficult decisions facing the Cavaliers’ front office? The complete conversation on the Wine and Gold Talk podcast provides insider perspective on this developing situation from those closest to the team.
Here’s the podcast for this week: