The rumor mill is churning in the NBA as the 2020–21 season comes to a winding end. The New York Knicks, however, are already being caught right in the line of fire regarding the vast array of rumors being rained down upon a team with $50+ million in free agency funds available.
This is a different off-season compared to recent ones for the Knicks, considering they actually have the pull to land a star player and put together a strong team for next year.
Of course, we will hear about the big names — Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, but some might fly under the radar, as former Brooklyn nets and current Cleveland Cavaliers Center Jarrett Allen has done.
According to Bobby Marks of ESPN:
Cleveland could let Allen shop for an offer sheet but unlike Capela, who entered a tough market with few options, Allen is likely to have plenty of suitors, ranging from Charlotte to New York and Toronto.
If New York is a serious contender for Allen on the market, he would be a great complementary piece for Mitchell Robinson next season. Allen is coming off a four-year, $10 million deal he signed with a Brooklyn Nets before being traded to the Cavaliers. He has a qualifying offer of $7.7 million for this upcoming season, but it seems Brooklyn will allow him to test the market and match any offer that is brought to the table. However, it opens the door for a team like the Knicks to try and steal him away from Cleveland, as the 6’11”, 243-pound big man averaged 12.8 points, 1.7 assists, 10 rebounds, and played nearly 30 minutes per game this year.
Jarrett not only has more scoring prowess than any Center the Knicks have had over the past few seasons, but he’s only 23 years old and still developing. Averaging 1.4 blocks this year, Allen has the potential to expand into a great starter who plays well on both ends of the floor. He would fit Tom Thibodeau’s mold perfectly, and pairing him with Robinson would give the Knicks a fantastic 1-2 punch in the paint.
The only problem I could see arising is splitting minutes between Allen and Robinson, who both play the same position. Of course, Robinson is in the final year of his rookie deal, so the Knicks will have an opportunity to extend him after the season if he plays to par.
Nonetheless, New York had a difficult time in the postseason without imposing physical center, and Allen offers just that if signed. He wouldn’t cost a boatload, but granting him a bit more than Cleveland’s qualifying offer could test the waters on his price tag.
What do you think about the Knicks pursuing Jared Allan? Comment below!