Brooklyn Nets: For Jarrett Allen, Time is of the Essence

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

"Center of Attention"

In Sean Marks, we trust, right?

Jarrett Allen is my favorite player.  Let's get that out of the way.  I was not pleased to hear his name mentioned in off-season trade rumors and would have been downright irate had he been included in a rumored deal for James Harden.  But I digress ...

Allan's contract status is the matter at hand.  Brooklyn's center of attention and the Nets recently failed to reach an agreement on an extension by the required deadline.  Thus, he becomes a restricted free agent at season's end.  This is just capitalism at work.  I have no compunction letting the market set Allen's price, so long as I know the Nets are committed to matching any potential offers.  And there's the rub.  Jarrett is effectively playing out the rest of the season to establish his future worth.  If all goes according to plan, Jarrett's annual value is due to spike from its present level of just under $4 million towards much higher and more cap and tax problematic sums.

Lest we forget, Caris LeVert last season signed an extension that was well celebrated by fans.  At this stage, I would also argue Spencer Dinwiddie is more expendable than Jarrett Allen.  

But the real phantom menace at play here is veteran DeAndre Jordan, who came loosely linked together with KD and Kyrie Irving.  He is taking up time and space that formerly belonged to Jarrett Allen.  In four games to date (two exhibitions, two regular-season), DeAndre Jordan started each time with Allen coming off the bench.  Jordan in the pre-season played 17 minutes and 19 minutes, respectively; Allen punched in 15 minutes and 17 minutes.  Through four games, Coach Nash has so far kept his starting lineup intact.  But whereas Jordan's playing time has remained consistent at 17 minutes against Golden State, then 19 minutes at Boston, Jarrett Allen's minutes were bumped up to 20 against the Warriors, and 21 minutes against the Celtics.  

Regular Season:

• Jordan vs. G.S. - 17 minutes, 11 rebounds, 4 points, 1 block.
• Allan vs. G.S. - 20 minutes, 7 rebounds, 8 points, 2 blocks.

• Jordan vs. BOS - 19 minutes, 7 rebounds, 4 points, 2 blocks.
• Allan vs. BOS - 21 minutes, 11 rebounds, 9 points, 4 blocks.

Albeit a small sample size, the numbers both collectively and individually speak for themselves.  No team in their right mind turns away 38.5 minutes, 18 rebounds, 12.5 points, and 4.5 blocks per game at center.  For the moment, it's a good problem for the Nets to have, but for how long?  Jarrett is averaging just 20.5 minutes a game.  He hasn't averaged as little as 20 minutes a game since his rookie season.  This, after spending the last two seasons as a prominent performer on an emerging playoff contender, punching the clock for 26.3 minutes per game.  Said another way, Allen, a starter for most other league teams, is theoretically deprived of a half-dozen minutes per game.  What Coach Nash has planned for Jordan and Allan moving forward remains to be seen.  Allen won't be 23-years old till next Spring.  Jordan, although very likable, is ten years Allen's elder.  Injuries can come into play for all we know.  But as they say: time is money.  In Allan's case, minutes are now his primary unit of value.  

So, what's a restricted free agent to do in the meantime?  

I guess learn from Jordan and Amare Stoudemire and prove himself an indispensable component of the Nets.

Circling back to Sean Marks, he continually reiterates the merits of being a disciplined organization, one that sticks with the plan, all the while prioritizing team and organizational culture.  Well, Jarrett Allen has been no less instrumental in establishing said culture than any player to don a Brooklyn Nets uniform.