Evan Mobley and the Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to terms on a five-year $224 million extension. Locking in a key part of their core was a move the Cavs absolutely had to make. However, how will this affect the rest of their roster, particularly Jarrett Allen?
In a perfect world, there are no issues with the Mobley-Allen pairing, but unfortunately, that is not reality. Long-term fit between the two has always been the question for the Cavs, and they are yet to receive a definitive answer. This would be less concerning if Mobley was more consistent from outside the paint, but that is not the case. Over 80% of Mobley’s field goal attempts come from inside 10 feet. Normally, this would not be a problem, but when Allen is also on the floor, things can become crowded, resulting in a lack of room for everyone else.
Like Mobley, the majority of Allen’s field goal attempts come near the rim. Having two bigs who are not able to do much from outside is a major problem. If the Cavaliers could somehow stagger the minutes between the two, such as one (Allen) not being a starter, this would be less of an issue. All indications are that this proposition is not on the table and that will continue to make their current configuration a bit of a mess.
The only real hope for the Cavs moving forward is that Mobley’s offense develops beyond what he currently brings to the table. Having a big that can be a consistent legitimate threat from outside will create more space for everyone else. But without that, the Cavaliers may not be able to advance much further than they have been able to up to this point.
