Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen had a bold take on the upcoming year for his team.
Coming off an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers are feeling very confident entering the new NBA season.
Cleveland was able to break through past the second round of the playoffs, giving them some extra experience heading into 2026-27. While the end of the year was brutal for the Cavaliers, this group is ready to prove itself once again.
The Cavaliers brought back most of the same roster, while also adding some extra talent along the edge of the team. This should give the team strong continuity, allowing them to build more chemistry on the floor.
Cleveland still has Donovan Mitchell and James Harden running the show in the backcourt, giving themselves a nice duo to work with. But it's the players around the two stars that will determine how far the Cavaliers can go.
Next to them are the two big men manning the middle, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, who give the Cavaliers an advantage over many teams in the league. Each player gives Cleveland something to work with, and they complement each other well on the floor.
Heading into the new season, Allen had a bold take on the upcoming season for the Cavaliers, saying that this team could be the best in the East. The Cavaliers' big man isn't lacking confidence heading into a crucial season for the franchise.
Allen understands the expectations that are being placed on the shoulders of the team, but he isn't shying away from anything. The Cavaliers big man played very well in the postseason last year, and he will be looking to build off that coming into the year.
Cleveland will have to deal with a much tougher Eastern Conference this season, with multiple teams getting better over the offseason. But the Cavaliers also added pieces that should help them counteract the moves made.
The 2026-27 season could be a special one for the Cavaliers if all goes to plan, but this will take the entire team coming together to get something done. Cleveland was able to see some extra success last year, and now this group can't take their foot off the gas.
Cleveland will open the new year against the Philadelphia 76ers on the road on October 22, facing old friend LeBron James in the game. If the Cavaliers can come away with a win in this matchup, it could make a statement for the entire season.
