CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers extended a qualifying offer Friday to center Jarrett Allen, making him a restricted free agent.
The team had until Aug. 1 to make the offer to Allen, a 23-year-old acquired last season in a trade from Brooklyn and viewed as one of Cleveland’s core players.
The Cavs can now match any offer given by other teams to Allen, whose size and physical skills at both ends of the floor makes him enticing.
General manager Koby Altman has expressed his hope to keep Allen in Cleveland long term.
Allen, who played college ball at Texas, came to the Cavs as part of the blockbuster trade in January that sent star James Harden to the Nets.
Allen’s arrival pushed veteran Andre Drummond to the bench and eventually led to the team buying out the two-time All-Star center’s contract.
Allen averaged 13.2 points and 9.9 rebounds in 51 games — 40 starts — for Cleveland.