As the Cleveland Cavaliers search for answers after a 64-win season ended with a whimper, it appears as though Jarrett Allen is a suddenly viable trade target for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Cleveland set the pace for the Eastern Conference during the regular season, but unceremoniously lost in five games to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Consecutive second-round exits from a team with four All-Stars and dreams of winning a championship have thus called futures into question.
The Cavaliers are in no way guaranteed to trade one of their stars, but it appears as though Allen and Darius Garland aren't quite as safe as one might've previously assumed.
Having lost in a lopsided manner in the second round of the playoffs, it's fair to believe that Cleveland will be considering potentially drastic changes. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley aren't going anywhere, but the pursuit of a championship often requires difficult roster decisions to be made.
During a recent appearance on the Wine and Gold podcast, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com stated that the Cavaliers appear more willing to trade Allen than in previous offseasons.
“I have been getting the sense that the Cavs would be more willing to entertain and at least consider possibilities for Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland than they have in the past. Now, that all comes down to: It’s got to be the right deal. It’s got to be the right pieces coming back that the Cavs believe would be a step forward, as opposed to just a lateral move or a step back. I don’t think they’re in a situation where they’re saying to themselves, ‘We’ve got to shed this salary.'"
The opportunity cost would be steep, but the door is open nevertheless for a blockbuster deal to be coordinated.
Cavaliers "more willing to entertain" trade offers for Jarrett Allen
Hyperbole isn't necessary when stating that Allen is one of the best centers in the NBA. He was an All-Star in 2021-22 and has continued to perform at that level despite Evan Mobley receiving the accolades alongside him, including the 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Set to receive a team-friendly figure of $20 million in 2025-26 before a three-year, $90.72 million extension comes into play in 2026-27, Allen is also a cost-efficient talent.
In terms of what he brings to the court, Allen is the prototypical center that Luka Doncic has thrived alongside in the past. Standing at 6'9" and 243 pounds with a massive 7'5.25" wingspan and an impressive combination of agility and leaping ability, he can protect the rim, crash the glass, and thrive as a pick-and-roll finisher who can catch lobs and throw them down with ease.
That translated to 2024-25 averages of 13.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.6 offensive boards, 1.9 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.9 steals in just 28.0 minutes per game.
For perspective, Allen's averages equated to 17.3 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.4 offensive boards, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per 36 minutes. Considering Cleveland ran its offense through two ball-dominant All-Star guards and a rising star at power forward, that's absurd production.
Moreover, those numbers and the film that come along with them suggest that Allen could quickly find his identity in a Lakers rotation that certainly isn't short on high-volume players.
Jarrett Allen can anchor the Lakers' defense, elevate the offense
Defensively, Allen forced opponents to shoot 7.1 percent worse within six feet of the rim when he was the primary defender in 2024-25. He's also adept at defending outside of the paint, as evidenced by the fact that the opposition shot 3.7 percent worse against him on shots attempted at least 15 feet from the rim.
Compounded by his high-level team defense and his presence on the glass, Allen has the tools to help the Lakers make a sustained leap to elite status.
The hurdle involved in acquiring Allen is coming up with an offer that Cleveland would consider. That process could ultimately require Los Angeles to part with Austin Reaves—a rising star in his own right whom Rob Pelinka has been reluctant to trade.
It's worth noting, however, that Pelinka is reportedly willing to trade Reaves for a, "Top-tier big." Only time will tell if Los Angeles believes Allen fits the bill.
A two-way impact player with postseason experience and the attributes to perfectly complement Doncic, Allen certainly has a strong case for that distinction. It's also worth noting that he's the same age as Reaves, 27, thus suggesting there's an equal measure of untapped potential to explore.
It must be reiterated that nothing is imminent, and that Cleveland may not even have interest in Reaves, but Allen may very well be the All-Star trade target the Lakers have been dreaming of.