Jarrett Allen is all of 21. Only Dzanan Musa and rookie Nicolas Claxton are younger than the third-year player. Only Claxton is taller. He has improved his first two years and made his bones last season, becoming one of the game’s best —and certainly most spectacular — shot blockers Two of his swats were listed in NBA’s top five — including the block of the year against LeBron James.
Now, he’s prepared to improve again, especially since he’s playing for an extension off his rookie deal. But there is a complication: the Nets, as part of their deals to woo Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to Brooklyn, also agreed to sign 31-year, two-time All-NBA center DeAndre Jordan to a four-year (no options), $40 million contract.