According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ hire of Kenny Atkinson has convinced teams that Jarrett Allen isn’t going anywhere.
Atkinson coached Allen on the Brooklyn Nets.
“The arrival of Kenny Atkinson as Cleveland’s new coach has convinced various teams that Jarrett Allen has just become even harder to pry from the Cavaliers via trade than he was previously,” Stein reported. “And it was hard before.”
Allen, who has two years and $40 million left on his contract, averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.1 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 63.4% from the field and 74.2% from the free-throw line.
The 26-year-old Allen has career averages of 12.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.3 blocks with the Nets and Cavaliers. Cleveland is 139-113 with Allen in the lineup.
The Boston Celtics beat the Cavaliers in the second round of the 2024 playoffs in five games. Allen missed the entire series with a rib injury.
Multiple teams want to trade for Allen, one of the best big men in the NBA. However, sources told Hoops Wire that Atkinson and Donovan Mitchell want Allen to remain with the Cavaliers.
Atkinson signed a five-year deal with Cleveland, while Mitchell signed a three-year extension.
The New Orleans Pelicans are one of the teams very interested in trading for Allen. However, the Cavaliers don’t want to trade the center, even if the deal gets them Brandon Ingram, who has one year left on his contract and is looking for a max extension.
All signs point toward Mitchell, Allen, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley being the “Big 4” again next season.
The Cavaliers are expected to sign Mobley to a rookie-scale extension soon, and unless Allen or Garland request a trade, both players will be back.
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Mobley supposedly wasn’t happy to see Allen resigned because they want him to be a center. This may be why we haven’t heard of Mobley extension. Everyone seems to believe that Mobley being a top player is the only way the Cavs can get to finals. If trading Allen is what unlocks Mobley, then it has to be done. Mobley and Mitchell have Superstar potential. Does Boston, Denver, Lakers, Dallas have a Core Four. No. Superstars plus support. Do they want to be good team or great team?