Cavaliers blockbuster trade idea sends Jarrett Allen to Lakers for 22-time All-Star

The Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks occupy the top-3 spots in the Eastern Conference standings, but the Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t too far behind. 

The Donovan Mitchell and James Harden-led Cavaliers have won six of their last seven games and will undoubtedly be a tough out in the postseason. 

If things don’t pan out for Cleveland in the playoffs, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Dave McMenamin believe that swapping Jarrett Allen for a Los Angeles Lakers 22-time All-Star could be a beneficial move for the franchise.

“He grew up in Akron, 45 minutes from Cleveland, and spent the first seven years of his career there after being selected No. 1 by the Cavs out of high school in 2003, and he already returned once in 2014,” Bontemps and McMenamin wrote Tuesday.

“His second stint with the Cavaliers resulted in four straight Finals appearances and the heralded 2016 title that broke a 52-year championship drought for pro sports teams in Cleveland.”

“There would even be a way for James to make significant money if the Lakers and Cavaliers could work out a sign-and-trade, which might bring someone such as big man Jarrett Allen to Los Angeles in return. An All-Star in 2022, Allen still has three years and $90.7 million remaining on his contract.”

It would be nostalgic to witness James end his career with the organization that played an integral role in his quick ascension to stardom. James has given everything he has to the Lakers’ franchise for eight years and deserves to spend the final chapter of his NBA journey with Cleveland if his gut tells him to join the surging Eastern Conference franchise. 

James isn’t the awe-inspiring athlete he was earlier in his career, but he still boasts a reputation for making all the right reads on the perimeter/in the post and for remaining a step ahead of his opponents. Most importantly, James can still contribute to winning at the highest level at age 41.

James is contributing 20.9 points, 7.0 assists, and 6.0 rebounds in 54 contests with the 49-26 Lakers this year, shooting 51.2% from the field and 31.4% from deep. 

Although Allen is a respectable rim-running center for the Cavaliers, it’s likely the Cavaliers wouldn’t hesitate to swap him for James this summer.

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