In recent years, the Cleveland Cavaliers have run a double-big lineup featuring both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. While that lineup has been devastatingly good on both sides of the floor, there’s a chance that Kenny Atkinson may want the versatility that comes with sliding Mobley to the five.
If that does become the case, Allen’s future with the Cavaliers could come into question. The explosive rim-runner is a starting-caliber big man in the NBA. As such, Cleveland could shop his services around the league, in search of some high-upside talent.
In a recent article for “Fantasy on SI,” Dave Holcomb proposed a deal that would land impressive young forward Matas Buzelis and talented guard Ayo Dosunmu in Cleveland. Allen would head to the Chicago Bulls as part of the trade idea.
The proposed trade looks like this:
Cavaliers receive: Ayo Dosunmu and Matas Buzelis.
Bulls receive: Jarrett Allen.
“If the Cavaliers are indeed interested in turning to Mobley for full-time center minutes, then a trade for Dosunmu and Buzelis makes sense,” Holcomb wrote. “Both forwards would help Cleveland replace Allen in the front court, but they wouldn’t block Mobley from being the team’s new starter at center.”
Given Cleveland’s recent success in the regular season, it’s unlikely they would part ways with Allen in the coming season. However, if the franchise falls short again in the 2025-26 campaign, moving him may become more palatable as part of a roster reshuffle.
Cavaliers Urged to Bring Allen Off the Bench
During a recent episode of his “Terry’s Talkin’” podcast, long-time Cavaliers insider, Terry Pluto, suggested bringing Allen off the bench in the upcoming season. Pluto referenced Hot Rod Williams as the blueprint for what could be asked of Allen in a bench role.
“I know because I kind of did some background work on this,” Pluto said. “I’m not saying they’re doing it, but they really believe that he would do it because that’s how Jarrett Allen is wired.”
Allen would undoubtedly be an impactful member of Cleveland’s second unit. His athleticism and rebounding would anchor the second unit. However, he’s earned his spot as a starter in the NBA, and would likely prefer to keep his current role.
Allen Received Criticism Following Playoffs
According to former Cavaliers big man Channing Frye, Jarrett Allen has to show more physicality, especially during the postseason.
“It’s really been bothering me… Jarrett Allen is not a playoff big man,” Frye said during a recent episode of the “Road Trippin’” podcast. “That is my statement. He is not physically dominant. He is not physically aggressive… At some point, as the main dude – the biggest dude on your team – you’ve gotta f*** somebody up once in a while.”
Allen, 27, is entering the prime of his career. He’s unlikely to improve much more from a skillset standpoint. However, he could still stack on some additional muscle, which would help him become more physically imposing on the court. The hard part would be walking the line between adding strength and losing bounce. Nevertheless, Allen has proven himself to be too good to count out.
However, his long-term future may reside away from the Cavaliers, and if so, the Bulls could potentially be a good landing spot for him. That is, assuming the Cavaliers entertain trade talks in the future.
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