Report: Pelicans, Rockets Tried To Trade For Cavaliers’ Jarrett Allen

According to NBA reporter Evan Dammarell of ClutchPoints, the New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets tried to trade for Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen.

“Sources tell ClutchPoints that the New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets checked in on Allen’s availability,” Dammarell reported. “But although there’s interest, conversations didn’t go far.”

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 for the Cavaliers 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 Brooklyn 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. 

The Pelicans lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2024 postseason in four games, while the Rockets missed the playoffs. 

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Cavaliers’ hire of Kenny Atkinson has convinced teams that Allen isn’t going anywhere.

Atkinson coached Allen on the 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.”

Donovan Mitchell wants the Cavaliers to keep Allen and Darius Garland, NBA sources told Hoops Wire. All signs point toward Cleveland keeping Garland and Allen next to Mitchell and Evan Mobley. 

Mitchell signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Cavaliers this offseason. The All-Star privately grew tired of everyone saying he would leave Cleveland after the 2024 playoffs ended, sources said. 

The Cavaliers are committed to building around Mitchell, Garland, Allen and Mobley, sources said. Cleveland and Mobley agreed to a five-year, $224 million rookie contract extension that could become worth as much as $269 million.