3 offseason moves the Cleveland Cavaliers need to make

2. Sign Jarrett Allen to a multi-year deal

After being acquired from the Brooklyn Nets, Allen averaged nearly a double-double over 51 games with the Cavaliers this season (13.2 points, 9.9 rebounds per game). He is an around-the-rim big man, though (per Basketball-Reference) his shot profile did extend out to mid-range this season.

Allen is a restricted free agent this offseason, and by meeting the starter criteria his qualifying offer will get a bump up from $5.6 million. There’s already been a report from Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the Cavaliers will offer Allen an extension worth at least $100 million. For clarity’s sake let’s assume it would be at least a four-year guaranteed deal, if not five or six with options.

Allen is clearly a core piece of the future in Cleveland. Extending him is already on the radar, so it’s just a matter of working out a deal.

1. The Cleveland Cavaliers need to trade Kevin Love

Love missed a big chunk of this season with an injury (25 games played), and when he was on the floor he set or neared career-lows across the board. Sprinkle in an embarrassing on-court incident on an in-bounds play, openly professing his desire to play for the Portland Trail Blazers and clear issues between he and Sexton, and the Cavaliers surely want to remove Love from their equation.

But there is a problem. Love is due about $60 million over the next two seasons. Only a small set of teams fit the bill as a contender with salary to send back in a trade to match Love’s. Even then, the Cavaliers will probably have to attach a draft pick or young player to him in order to facilitate moving him.

However it needs to be done, the Cavaliers have to leave no stone unturned to unload Love. Most any issue with also having to part with a prime asset should be set aside quickly.