Mavs Trade Option: Cavs ‘More Open’ to Jarrett Allen Move

With Cleveland rumored to be more willing to part with center Jarrett Allen via trade, the Mavericks should circle the wagons to fit their defensive needs.

In the opening weekend of NBA free agency, the Dallas Mavericks have both improved their roster while also leaving a little more to be desired regarding their acquisitions.

One gaping hole that has yet to be filled by the Mavs' front office? A starting quality center, despite having just drafted Dereck Lively II and acquiring veteran Richaun Holmes. 

But maybe their relative “white whale” at the center position could have just come available.

Reported by NBA insider Marc Stein on Sunday, the Cleveland Cavaliers may be 'more open' to parting with center Jarrett Allen than previously thought.

"...there have been some whispers this week that the Cavaliers are more open to trading Jarrett Allen than advertised for the opposite reason: He appeared to struggle with the moment at various points of the Cavaliers' five-game exit to the Knicks."

Stein noted the reasoning that Cleveland went all-in on acquiring former Miami Heat wing Max Strus due to his strong play through the first three rounds of the playoffs, which helped land the No. 8 seed Heat in the NBA Finals.

This could be exactly what the Mavericks have been waiting for, as they sniffed around with interest in Allen at this past season's trade deadline and prior to last month's NBA Draft as well. Cleveland wasn't then yet prepared to part ways with their starting center. But now?

Outside of re-signing Kyrie Irving and bolstering their backcourt, the Mavs have yet to add the defensive anchor that they've been seeking this offseason, making a trade with the Cavaliers a route that Dallas should revisit. 

Proposed trade: Mavericks receive Jarrett Allen. Cavaliers receive Tim Hardaway Jr., JaVale McGee, and an unprotected 2027 first-round pick.

At last season's trade deadline, the Cavaliers were rumored to show interest in Hardaway Jr., who the Mavericks have been open to trading since the end of the regular season. And with the signing of Seth Curry and Jaden Hardy's play in the second-half of his rookie campaign, the need for THJ's scoring off the bench is less essential to Dallas' success than in year's past. 

And for the Mavericks, being able to shed the remaining two years of McGee's deal, enticed with being paired alongside Dallas' 2027 first-round pick, could be what Cleveland needs to hit the accept button.

Acquiring Allen would provide the Mavs with the anchor in the middle of the paint that they've lacked throughout Doncic's tenor in Dallas. With a trusted big like Allen who's not just an elite rebounder and rim protector, but is also proficient in the pick-and-roll and as a rim runner, the Mavericks ceiling for next season would reach new heights.

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