NBA Rumors: Cavs, Jarrett Allen, Pelicans, Herbert Jones, Pacers

Cavaliers

Teams around the league are watching the Cavaliers closely.

Per Brett Siegel of Clutch Points, Cleveland’s 13-10 start (through Thursday) has raised questions about whether the front office might take calls on starting center Jarrett Allen.

Specifically, rival executives are monitoring the situation in case the Cavs become more open to retooling, Siegel reported.

Allen is earning $20 million this season before his three-year, $90.7 million extension kicks in this July. That contract, combined with Cleveland’s uneven start, is enough to spark interest.

There is no indication the Cavs are shopping him, but teams are circling just in case.

Pelicans

The Pelicans have long made it clear that Herbert Jones is off limits in trade talks. That stance did not change when Joe Dumars took over basketball operations in the spring.

But with New Orleans sitting at 3-20, Siegel wrote that the odds of a Jones trade have “grown exponentially.”

Jones cannot be moved until January 14th due to the contract extension he signed in July. That date lands just a few weeks before the trade deadline and should come with heavy attention from the rest of the league.

Jordan Poole is another name to watch. Siegel noted that Jeremiah Fears’ emergence and the expected return of Dejounte Murray could make Poole more expendable.

Poole’s value, however, is complicated by his contract. He is owed $31.8 million this season and $34 million next season, and he has already missed the past month with a quad strain after a shaky opening stretch.

Pacers

Indiana has fielded plenty of interest in recent years for players like T.J. McConnell, Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard.

According to Siegel, the Pacers do not plan to make major changes this season. The team believes it can contend again in 2026–27 with Tyrese Haliburton healthy.

If the Pacers make an in-season move, Bennedict Mathurin is viewed as the most likely trade candidate. He is on an expiring contract and headed for restricted free agency this summer.

Indiana does not appear eager to shake things up, but Mathurin’s situation gives them at least some flexibility.