[Amick] The Cleveland Cavaliers have been gauging Jarrett Allen’s value on the trade market as a way of unlocking “bigger possibilities” that would return them to title contention status— such as acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Long before the Harden news was known, there was league-wide chatter about whether the Cavs could land a star player with the hopes of returning to title-contending status. And, yes, in case you wondered, that includes the likes of Antetokounmpo.
While Cleveland has won eight of its last 10 games — nothing to sneeze at, to be sure — the fact remains that the Cavs hovered around the .500 mark (22-19) when the halfway point of the season hit. Their second-apron status has been well chronicled, but league sources say they’ve explored ways of trading the contract of big man Jarrett Allen ($90.7 million combined in the next three seasons) as a way of unlocking much bigger possibilities.
That situation is worth monitoring, if only because moving Allen would expand their list of dreamy possibilities. Donovan Mitchell is extension eligible this summer, with a player option in the 2027 offseason that surely applies organizational pressure in times like these, so it’s safe to say that the Cavs are looking at any and all options.