Jarrett Allen believes Cleveland can get even more from his pick-and-roll partnership with James Harden after a limited sample together last season.
The four-team trade that sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in January 2021 also sent Jarrett Allen from Brooklyn to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland gave up Dante Exum and a 2022 first-round pick in that deal, and Taurean Prince came along with Allen.
Five years later, Cleveland traded Darius Garland to the LA Clippers for Harden at the February deadline, and the two began running pick-and-roll together.
Allen Sees More to Unlock With Harden
Allen said Monday at media day that he does not track the numbers on the pairing, but he came away from last season believing there was still room for it to improve.
"Honestly, I thought there was more to unlock. I didn't know we were such a great pick-and-roll duo. You know me. I'm not looking at that," Allen said. "I just felt like there were little things that we could tweak that make the pick-and-roll even better, and I'm sure he felt the same way."
"I'm sure that this summer — not this summer, summer's over — this training camp, we're going to talk about it even more and make sure that things are even more refined," Allen continued.
Harden played 26 regular-season games with Cleveland, and the Cavaliers went 19-7 in them, according to Yahoo Sports. Harden arrived with 11 All-Star selections and the 2018 MVP award. Allen made his lone All-Star team in 2022.
Allen Says Harden's Game Is Already Established
Harden's game is already set, in Allen's view. That experience could also benefit Evan Mobley as Cleveland gets more time with Harden running the offense.
"Refinement from James. James has been in the league for a very long time, and he has his game marked and stamped," Allen explained. "I don't know. I haven't watched his summer workouts, but I can't imagine he's adding a ton of new techniques into his game about how he goes about it."
"So for Evan, instead of growing along another point guard, or a point guard that hasn't had experience playing with guys of Evan's level, they're going to mesh very well together," Allen added.
Earlier Monday, Harden said his stature may have made it hard for teammates to approach him at first. He named Evan Mobley and, by his initials, Allen.
Dennis Schröder Helped Break Barrier With Harden
Allen said Harden is open to improving his game, whether the change is big or small. Dennis Schröder helped the rest of the roster see that after Harden arrived.
"At first, when he first got traded here, it's like, oh, he's a superstar. You don't want to step on his toes. But shout out to Dennis. Like, Dennis was not scared to back down from anybody, let alone James," Allen said. "And I think that trickled down to everybody understanding that James is open for communication. James is open to improve his game no matter how little or how big it is. So I think after that, everybody just felt open and honest to talk to him."
Schröder came to Cleveland from the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 1 in a three-team deal that sent De'Andre Hunter to Sacramento. Keon Ellis came with him, along with two-way player Emanuel Miller from the Chicago Bulls.
Schröder appeared in 30 games for the Cavaliers, three as a starter, and averaged 8.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 21.4 minutes, according to Bleacher Report. He played 10 minutes in Game 3 of the conference finals against New York and missed Game 4 with an illness.
On Aug. 14, Cleveland traded Schröder and cash to the Charlotte Hornets for Tre Mann, as ESPN's Shams Charania reported. Schröder had two years and more than $30 million left on his contract. Mann, 25, is due $8 million this season, with a team option at the same salary for 2027-28.
Schröder won the 2023 FIBA World Cup MVP award and the 2025 EuroBasket MVP award. He turned 33 on Sept. 15 and is entering his 14th season.
Cavaliers Get Full Training Camp With Harden
Harden averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists in his regular-season games with Cleveland, according to the Akron Beacon Journal, and re-signed in August for three years and $97 million. Allen put up 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds a game over 56 appearances last season, according to StatMuse.
The Cavaliers practice in Spain from Wednesday through Saturday before a Sunday scrimmage in Málaga.
