There have been plenty of rumors surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers ever since they were eliminated from the postseason by the Boston Celtics this week. There have been questions about Donovan Mitchell’s future; whether JB Bickerstaff will return as head coach; and whether Darius Garland could ask for a trade. But apparently it’s one move many people aren’t even thinking of that could become a reality — a trade of Jarrett Allen.
ESPN basketball reporter Brian Windhorst said on Friday’s episode of his podcast that he thinks the Cavs will explore potential trades of Allen (around 54:50 mark).
“I would just say that while there’s an extreme interest and excitement probably from certain fanbases to go to the trade machine or work out Donovan Mitchell trades … I would think the Cavs are going to be spending more time in this next month looking at possible Jarrett Allen trades and what that could bring,” Windhorst said.
Allen has two years left on the 5-year, $100 million contract he signed three years ago. The 26-year-old center spent the first three and a half seasons of his career with the Brooklyn Nets before being traded to the Cavs. He averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game this season while playing in 77 contests.
Some Cavaliers players reportedly were frustrated that Allen didn’t take a pain injection for his rib injury during the playoffs. It’s unclear whether that would factor into the team’s reported willingness to trade the center.
