One NBA analyst believes the Cleveland Cavaliers trading Jarrett Allen to the New Orleans Pelicans for Brandon Ingram “makes plenty of sense.”
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report thinks Ingram on the Cavaliers is something to keep an eye on.
“The Ingram-for-Allen swap, on the other hand, makes plenty of sense,” Bailey wrote. “Set aside Ingram’s next contract for a moment (something Cleveland doesn’t really have the luxury of doing, but stick with me). As far as short-term fit goes, that move would bump Mobley to his more natural position at the 5. It’d widen slashing lanes for Mitchell, Garland and Ingram. And assuming the front office and coaching staff were able to effectively communicate with Ingram, this situation would give Ingram a role more suitable for Ingram’s skill and talent level.
“He would undoubtedly be behind Mitchell in the scoring hierarchy. Given Garland’s age and developmental curve, Ingram might even oscillate between being the third and fourth option (depending on how well Mobley plays on a given night). If Ingram is your best or second best player, you probably aren’t getting much farther than the Pelicans have in recent years. If he’s your third or fourth best player, you darn well might be a contender.”
The Cavaliers can trade Allen after January 31, 2025. The center signed a three-year, $90 million extension with Cleveland this offseason.
One of the top scorers in the NBA, Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Pelicans last season while shooting 49.2% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc and 80.1% from the free-throw line. The forward will make $36 million next season in the final year of his contract.
A Duke product, Ingram has career averages of 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks with the Los Angeles Lakers and Pelicans. He won the 2019-20 Most Improved Player of the Year Award.
Allen averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.1 blocks in 2023-24 for the Cavaliers while shooting 63.4% from the field and 74.2% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $20 million next season.
A one-time All-Star, Allen has career averages of 12.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.3 blocks with the Brooklyn Nets and Cavaliers.
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