The Cleveland Cavaliers have resisted trading away Jarrett Allen for years despite rampant trade rumors. The latest rumors are swirling around a deal they may finally say yes to, however -- a trade for LeBron James.
In 2014, LeBron James paved the way to return to The Land and leave behind the Miami Heat despite four-straight trips to the NBA Finals. The prospect of landing the league's best player rightly motivated the Cavaliers to do whatever it took to remake the roster to sign LeBron and trade for a co-star.
That meant trading away a number of players, moves that the organization gladly made because it meant LeBron James coming home. And they were certainly rewarded for it, as LeBron led the team to four-straight Eastern Conference titles and won the first championship in franchise history.
LeBron James could return home to Cleveland
Fast forward a dozen years, and LeBron James may once again like to come home. ESPN reported this week that if James wants to come back to Cleveland, the franchise would make it happen. Unless he is willing to sign for the minimum, however, that would require a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The obvious player at the center of such a trade would be Jarrett Allen, the Cavs' former All-Star center. He will make $28 million next year, fair value for his two-way level of play and enough for LeBron to still sign at a respectable number.
The Lakers would get a top-tier center to pair with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, likely without giving up significant assets going back to Cleveland. They likely leap into the deal with excitement.
Trading Jarrett Allen for LeBron?
What about Cleveland's side of things? The Cavs have been at their best the last few seasons with both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen on the court, but at the same time, Mobley appears to be best deployed at center given his limitations as a shooter on offense.
Part of the difficulty in playing Mobley at center has been the lack of a consistent power forward to step in next to him; forcing Max Strus or Isaac Okoro into the role has never worked, and DeAndre Hunter failed utterly in the task. Dean Wade is an ideal option for that role, but if he plays significant minutes, his body breaks down.
LeBron James at power forward would solve that problem and bring the size next to Mobley that could unlock a better two-way group. His basketball IQ is obviously off the charts, and he is still playing well enough at 41 that he can be a worthy starter next year if he doesn't suddenly hit a cliff.
Cavaliers have a decision on their hands
Should the Cavaliers trade Jarrett Allen for LeBron James? That's a difficult question to answer, but it could certainly be yes.
Will the Cavaliers trade Jarrett Allen for LeBron James? If given the opportunity, absolutely they will. This is the most important player in franchise history, perhaps the greatest in basketball history, and he is still playing at a high level. The team will do whatever it can to bring him back without gutting their chances of winning a title with him.
LeBron has to make his decision: retire, stay, go. If he chooses the Cavaliers, however, then the path is clear. Jarrett Allen to the Lakers, LeBron James home to Cleveland, and the ultimate storybook ending is in motion.