Cavs Listening to Pitches, But Not Interested in Trade-Deadline Dabbling

The Cavaliers have made it clear — they’re not interested in major trade deadline tinkering, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers, Cavs, NBA

Beyond their four core players — Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen — the Cavs are listening to pitches but generally reluctant to make any moves.

This reluctance stems from the strong chemistry the team has developed under first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson, and it’s been evident that Cleveland’s success this season has been built on the foundation of continuity and trust. 

Back in July, Cleveland’s front office was already locking up its future, offering Mitchell and Mobley lucrative extensions. But when it came to Allen, the Cavs played it differently, as Stein wrote.

They were keen to extend the 25-year-old center but insisted that any deal be completed before August 6. Why? The answer lies in trade eligibility rules.

If Allen had signed after that date, he wouldn’t have been eligible for trade until after the 2024-25 season, a key factor for the Cavs as they strategized long-term.

In early August, the Cavs and Allen finalized a three-year, $91 million contract extension, meaning Allen became trade-eligible on February 2, just days before the February 6 trade deadline.

At that time, Cleveland was still in a bit of uncharted territory. The team’s roster, with its four core stars, was still a work in progress, and many around the league were skeptical about whether the Cavaliers could keep their young core together and compete at a high level.

Fast forward to today, and that skepticism has evaporated. With a 34-5 record heading into their Thursday night showdown against the 33-6 Oklahoma City Thunder, the Cavs have become the story of the season.

They’ve far exceeded expectations, and their chemistry is undeniable. Allen, a key piece to their defense and rim protection, has become even more untouchable than he was when the extension was first signed.

Teams inquiring about him now will find the Cavs less willing than ever to part with the 6-foot-9 center.

Cleveland’s strong play under Atkinson has made it evident — the focus is on building for the long-term success of this core, and any moves to break it up are off the table.

If anything, the Cavs are more likely to stay the course and reinforce their depth than make any seismic moves ahead of the deadline.

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