Cleveland Cavaliers: Ranking the 3 most valuable trade chips

Ranking the 3 most valuable trade chips: 3. Jarrett Allen

When the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets were negotiating the particulars of their blockbuster trade centered around superstar James Harden, the Cleveland Cavaliers volunteered to jump in and take Jarrett Allen, who would be redundant for a Houston team that had just signed Christian Wood. They sent out a first round pick and took on the salary of Taurean Prince in the deal as well.

Thus far the return has been very positive, as Allen had a strong rest of the season for Cleveland. He averaged 13.2 points and 9.9 rebounds in 51 games, flourishing once Andre Drummond was removed from the lineup. His screen-and-roll game works nicely with the pull-up shooting of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, and he is by far the best rim protector on the team.

The combination of his strong play and the pick and cap space the Cavaliers gave up to trade for him mean that the franchise likely wants to re-sign him this summer as a restricted free agent. The rub is that he will likely want a large salary, and other teams will be comfortable signing him to a large offer sheet expecting the team to match.

Therefore Cleveland could elect to work a sign-and-trade for Allen with another team. Especially if they have their eyes on another center, or draft Evan Mobley with the No. 3 pick and don’t want to commit too many assets to bigs, moving Allen could be a way to recoup value for him while not overloading the team’s frontcourt, as they did at times last season.

A team looking for a young anchor could send out an asset or two to bring him in. The Charlotte Hornets could be an option, trading one of their young players and a future pick for Allen. Perhaps the New York Knicks look for someone younger than Nerlens Noel but healthier than Mitchell Robinson. The Toronto Raptors need a starting center in a bad way.

Allen is due for a significant salary increase, which will make him hard to fit on many teams and thus decreasing his suitors leaguewide. Yet his age (just 23), production and acceptance of his role will bring some suitors calling. It will only take one to make a trade happen.