Raptors among expected suitors for Jarrett Allen, per report

The Cavaliers extended a qualifying offer to Jarrett Allen this week, making him a restricted free agent when free agency opens next month. That means the Cavs can match offer sheet he signs and brings him back.

But Allen is going to have suitors. Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Raptors are among the teams that will pursue Allen and have tried to trade for Allen in the past.

Here’s what Charania wrote:

There’s mutual interest between center Jarrett Allen and the Cavaliers on a new deal, but the Toronto Raptors are expected to be among the strong suitors for the restricted free agent, according to sources. Toronto has attempted to trade for Allen in the past, sources said.

This, again, isn’t too surprising. Allen is good and Cavs sources see the qualifying offer as the first step in bringing Allen back to Cleveland. But it’ll be interesting see if the Raptors or another team can get Allen to sign an offer sheet and force Cleveland to match or even tries to engage Cleveland on a sign-and-trade. When free agency opens up, Allen’s free agency is going to be the most pressing matter at hand.