Jarrett Allen Thriving in the James Harden Era: A New Dynamic Duo in Cleveland
When the Cleveland Cavaliers snagged Jarrett Allen in the 2021 three-team blockbuster that sent James Harden to Brooklyn, it felt like a smart, opportunistic move. Fast forward five years, and the twist no one saw coming is that Allen and Harden are now teammates - and thriving together in a way that’s reshaping the Cavs’ offense.
Harden’s arrival in Cleveland hasn’t been about gaudy scoring lines or vintage isolation takeovers. Instead, it’s been about orchestration - and Allen has been the biggest beneficiary.
If you’ve followed Harden’s career, this isn’t exactly shocking. He’s made a habit of elevating his big men, turning solid frontcourt players into high-efficiency weapons.
Clint Capela in Houston, Joel Embiid in Philly, Ivica Zubac in Los Angeles - now it’s Allen’s turn.
So, what is it about Harden that unlocks this kind of production from his centers? It’s not magic.
Allen’s always had the tools - length, touch around the rim, rim-running instincts. But what Harden brings is a surgical understanding of how defenses react to him.
His handle, his footwork, the ever-present threat of the step-back three - all of it forces defenses to make split-second decisions. And when they hesitate, Harden pounces.
That’s exactly what we’ve seen in Cleveland, even in these early days. Take the Sacramento game, for example.
Yes, the Kings were rolling out a patchwork lineup, but the Harden-Allen pick-and-roll still demanded respect. Every time they ran it, Sacramento’s defense had to choose: switch and risk a mismatch, double Harden and leave Allen open on the roll, or rotate quickly enough to avoid giving up an easy bucket.
Most of the time, they chose wrong.
Allen dropped 29 and 22 points in the two games Harden has played. That’s not just a hot streak - that’s a shift in how the Cavs are using him.
For much of the season, Allen’s offensive role had been minimal. He wasn’t a focal point, and at times, he felt like the odd man out in a crowded frontcourt rotation.
There were even whispers that he could be moved at the trade deadline.
But now? He looks revitalized.
Allen isn’t the kind of big who creates his own shot in the post. He’s not going to isolate or face up and break down a defender.
He’s a finisher - and that’s where Harden comes in. The Cavs had relied heavily on Donovan Mitchell to initiate offense, and while Mitchell is an elite scorer, his game isn’t built around feeding bigs.
If anything, his downhill drives often pull defenders into the paint, sometimes clogging things up for Allen and Evan Mobley.
Harden changes that dynamic. He’s a conductor, not just a scorer.
And when he’s running the point with Allen at center, the numbers back up what the eye test is showing. The Cavs are scoring 120.7 points per 100 possessions with that duo on the floor - good for the 88th percentile league-wide.
In the half court, they’re even better, ranking in the 98th percentile with 108.9 points per 100 possessions.
Swap Harden out for Mitchell at the point, and the offensive efficiency takes a dip - 116.2 overall (59th percentile) and 101.3 in the half court (78th percentile). That’s not a knock on Mitchell.
He’s a dynamic weapon, and the Cavs still need his shot-making and leadership. But Harden brings a different flavor - one that makes life easier for Cleveland’s bigs.
And that’s the key. The Cavs no longer have to rely solely on Mitchell going nuclear to keep the offense afloat.
Harden gives them another gear - one that keeps Allen engaged, productive, and impactful. It’s not just about the points, either.
Allen’s screens are hitting harder. His rolls are sharper.
He’s playing with a confidence that hasn’t always been there this season.
This isn’t a flash in the pan. Harden has a long track record of maximizing his centers, and Allen is the latest example. What once looked like a potential trade chip is now looking like a crucial piece in Cleveland’s playoff push.
Harden might not be the MVP-caliber scorer he once was, but he’s proving that his value lies in elevating those around him. And for Jarrett Allen, that’s making all the difference.