Cavaliers Insider Lays Out ‘Hot Rod’ Blueprint for Jarrett Allen

After their second-round exit from the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to make some tweaks to their rotation.

While most fans are expecting Koby Altman to make at least one trade this summer, Terry Pluto has offered a tweak that would alter the way the current rotation is utilized. During a recent episode of his “Terry’s Talkin’” podcast, the long-time Cavaliers insider suggested bringing Jarrett Allen off the bench as a potential sixth man.

Pluto referenced Hot Rod Williams as the blueprint for what could be asked of Allen in a bench role.

“I know because I kind of did some background work on this,” Pluto said. “I’m not saying they’re doing it, but they really believe that he would do it because that’s how Jarrett Allen is wired.”

Allen and Evan Mobley have formed a fearsome front court pairing. However, if the Cavaliers want to become more versatile and play with additional pace, moving to a single-big linuep makes sense. Allen’s rim protection, screening, rebounding and lob-threat would allow him to demolish opposing second units.

Allen Received Criticism Following Playoffs

According to former Cavaliers big man Channing Frye, Jarrett Allen has to show more physicality, especially during the postseason.

“It’s really been bothering me… Jarrett Allen is not a playoff big man,” Frye said during a recent episode of the “Road Trippin’” podcast. “That is my statement. He is not physically dominant. He is not physically aggressive… At some point, as the main dude – the biggest dude on your team – you’ve gotta f*** somebody up once in a while.”

In his 9 playoff games this season, Allen averaged 13.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists. He shot 72.1% from the field. The explosive forward often shied away from embracing contact. Moving him to a bench role could help Allen use his athleticism to his advantage in future playoff series.

Cavaliers’ Ty Jerome Wants to Stay With Franchise

Another issue facing the Cavaliers this summer is Ty Jerome‘s impending unrestricted free agency.

In a recent interview with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the veteran guard made it clear that he wants to remain with the Cavaliers.

“I think I have an amazing situation here with a coaching staff that empowers me and a team that empowers me,” Jerome told HoopsHype. “Obviously, I’d love to be back. We’ve just got to see how it plays out.”

Jerome’s future is a major decision for the Cavaliers’ front office. Until they decide how to approach his free agency, it’s unlikely Altman will make any moves, either in the free agency or trade market.

So, while moving Allen to the bench could be a shrewd decision, it’s unclear who he would share the second unit with. After all, the luxury taxes associated with keeping Jerome could prove to be too high for the Cavaliers. If that is the case, Jerome will likely have no shortage of suitors. After all, he was one of the standout bench guards in the NBA this past season. That’s why his market should see him earn a well-deserved pay rise.

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