When LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers three years ago, it signaled the start of their rebuild.
They went from 50 to 19 wins and started stockpiling young talent.
Collin Sexton was their first selection of the post-LeBron era by using the Brooklyn Nets draft pick they acquired from the Boston Celtics in the Kyrie Irving trade a year prior.
The Cavaliers got the fifth pick in consecutive years after that and took Darius Garland and Isaac Okoro.
All three players are still on the team and appear to have promising NBA futures.
Cleveland also got in on the James Harden blockbuster this past season and snagged Jarrett Allen.
Sources: Houston Rockets trade James Harden to Brooklyn Nets – via @ESPN App https://t.co/oRRwHi2JBv
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 13, 2021
For the low cost of Dante Exum, a 2022 first-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick, the Cavaliers acquired a young, budding defensive anchor.
Allen showed great defensive instincts during his first three years with the Nets.
While his offensive game outside of the paint was limited, he was an excellent roll-man and lob target.
Allen is set to be a restricted free agent this offseason and the Cavaliers hold the third pick in the draft.
Thus, putting them in the conversation for big-man Evan Mobley.
Mobley has star potential at the next level, but there is a case to be made for Cleveland to keep Allen as a piece to build around.
Cavaliers Need To Prioritize Acquiring Talent
At this stage in the rebuild, Cleveland should not be worrying about fit in the draft.
Sexton is clearly a talented scoring guard in the NBA and Garland has shown he will be a quality point guard moving forward.
Okoro showed flashes of becoming a defensive menace on the wings while defending multiple positions.
Mobley and Allen may play the same position, but that is a debate to worry about down the line.
Chemistry and team play matter in today’s NBA.
But at the end of the day, talent is the deciding factor in winning and losing.
Cleveland has $95 million committed in salaries next year.
But that includes $31 million to Kevin Love, who is a likely trade candidate sometime this year.
Allen projects to be worth around $25 million per year.
Report: NBA agent says Jarrett Allen could draw contract at around $25 million per year https://t.co/1lrwDJ3BNx
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) May 16, 2021
A hefty figure, but nothing that seriously straps the Cavaliers, especially once they move on from Love, Taurean Prince, and Larry Nance Jr.
All-Defensive caliber centers don’t grow on trees and can help anchor top-10 defenses in the league.
If Allen reaches his potential, he figures to be in that stratosphere and will be well worth the cost Cleveland pays.
Cleveland doesn’t figure to contend for the playoffs this year so they should try to have as much young talent on the floor as possible.
Mobley Could Play With Allen
Mobley has drawn some lofty pre-draft comparisons and would have probably been a No. 1 pick any other year.
"I had one scout tell me the other night that Mobley is Chris Bosh on offense and Anthony Davis on defense. That’s an NBA superstar. That’s crazy." 🤯
– @chadfordinsider on Evan Mobley
(Via @ChrisFedor ) pic.twitter.com/5HxCreXNhW— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) July 26, 2021
While he could be a center, he also projects as a power forward.
His 7-foot, 192-pound frame is not big enough to handle the bigger centers in the NBA.
This leaves the door open for Cleveland to slot him next to Allen in the starting lineup.
Mobley has excellent timing and is a great shot blocker.
But he also moves his feet well and could hang with stretch-fours.
Cleveland would have two rim protectors on the floor at the same time and could stagger their minutes to ensure at least one is on the court.
Allen would handle the bigger centers while Mobley could deal with the smaller forwards.
On the offensive end, Mobley has enough shooting range to keep the floor spaced.
He only shot 30 percent from deep on 1.2 attempts per game while at USC, but scouts see a smooth jumper that should translate to better numbers in pro offenses.
His shooting ability would be key to maintaining offensive flow with Allen in the game.
Even if Cleveland takes Mobley, Allen should be kept around.
The fit has potential and Allen would be a great mentor.
Jarrett’s potential to grow into a DPOY-caliber center also makes it impossible for Cleveland to let him go.
NEXT: 2 Teams That Should Make A Trade For Collin Sexton