Jarrett Allen named way too early trade deadline candidate

Could the Cleveland Cavaliers move one of their big men by the NBA Trade Deadline? That possibility was suggested in an article identifying 1 Way-too-early 2024 trade deadline candidate for all 30 teams. Jarrett Allen was the Cavs’ entry on this list and there is a pretty solid case made for it.

Not only do they have to take a tangible step forward in their overall team development to try and sell Donovan Mitchell on their future, but they also have to figure out what the dynamic is going to be with the emerging Evan Mobley

There are a couple of things to take away from this. First off is fit as it became very questionable this past season. The Cavs were lacking enough threats from outside the paint and having Allen as a permanent resident near the basket bogs things up down there. This leads us to the next point.

Figuring out how things will work with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Mobley is clearly the future in Cleveland while Allen has been a solid addition to what used to be a very underwhelming group of players who did not fit together. Now Allen has found himself in that position. Unless the Cavs can convince Allen to come off the bench, he may not be in Cleveland long-term.

Lastly is selling Donovan Mitchell on a future in Cleveland. It was already reported that the Cavs are “rolling out the red carpet” for the star. While at first, it seems like moving Allen would be the opposite, finding a way to build the right supporting cast around him to convince him to stay would prove beneficial.

Is a trade on the horizon? Not necessarily, but the fact Allen’s name continues to appear signals that his time with the Cavs may be coming to an end sooner rather than later.