Cavaliers' Harden Praises $90M Teammate Allen: 'Better Than I Thought'

Harden says Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has impressed him more than expected since the trade deadline acquisition.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 4:48am

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In a 112-84 rout of the Brooklyn Nets, Cavaliers star James Harden offered a surprisingly candid assessment of teammate Jarrett Allen, who is set to make $90.7 million over the next three seasons. Harden said Allen is 'better than I thought he was' in terms of his ability to catch the ball and finish around the rim with both hands, praising Allen's touch and underrated skills. The Cavaliers have leaned heavily into Harden's pick-and-roll strengths since the trade, and the partnership between the two players has already looked natural and productive on the court.

Why it matters

The Cavaliers' acquisition of Harden at the trade deadline has rejuvenated their offense and pace, and the emerging chemistry between Harden and Allen has been a key factor in their 4-0 start in the Harden era. Allen's growth and fit alongside Evan Mobley had been a question mark, but Harden's glowing assessment suggests the Cavaliers' two-big lineup can thrive in high-leverage situations.

The details

Against the Nets, Allen posted another double-double, thriving as the primary beneficiary of the Cavaliers' heavy pick-and-roll offense with Harden. Harden has been trapping coverages, making pinpoint passes, and calculating reads that punish indecision, with Allen converting 77% of his restricted-area attempts this season (87th percentile) and an eye-popping 82% since the new year (95th percentile). The chemistry between Harden and Allen has been immediate, echoing Harden's previous partnerships with rim-running bigs.

  • The Cavaliers acquired James Harden at the trade deadline.
  • The Cavaliers have gone 4-0 since Harden joined the team.

The players

James Harden

A star player for the Cleveland Cavaliers who was recently acquired in a trade. He is a former NBA MVP.

Jarrett Allen

The Cavaliers' starting center who is set to make $90.7 million over the next three seasons. He has impressed Harden with his ability to catch and finish around the rim.

Evan Mobley

The Cavaliers' other starting big man who plays alongside Jarrett Allen in the team's two-big lineup.

Kenny Atkinson

The head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers who is blending his techniques and principles with Harden's pick-and-roll approach.

Jordi Fernández

The head coach of the Brooklyn Nets who noted pregame that elite pick-and-roll guards 'destroy every coverage.'

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What they’re saying

“I can say, he's better than I thought he was, in the sense of he's able to catch the ball and finish around the rim with both hands. He has so much touch around the rim. I think that's one of the most underrated parts of his game.”

— James Harden, Cavaliers Star (profootballnetwork.com)

“Elite pick-and-roll guards 'destroy every coverage.'”

— Jordi Fernández, Nets Head Coach (profootballnetwork.com)

What’s next

The Cavaliers will face tougher opponents in the coming weeks as they look to build on their 4-0 start with Harden.

The takeaway

The immediate chemistry between Harden and Allen has been a revelation for the Cavaliers, as Harden's precision in the pick-and-roll has unlocked Allen's rim-running ability and touch around the basket. This partnership could be a key factor in the Cavaliers' success as they integrate Harden into their system.