Cavaliers Center Jarrett Allen Considered Top-10 NBA Trade Target

Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley considers Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen a top-10 NBA trade target.

Buckley ranked Allen at No. 5. Allen trails only Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Trey Murphy III and Darius Garland (1).

Allen will make $28 million next season. The Texas product averaged 15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game last season while shooting 63.8% from the field and 70.9% from the free-throw line. He recorded 20 double-doubles.

In the 2026 playoffs against the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks, Allen put up 12.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest. The Knicks swept Allen and the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

A one-time All-Star, Allen has played for the Brooklyn Nets and Cavaliers. He holds career averages of 13.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. The big man doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract. 

Cleveland will start James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley and Allen next season. If the team gets off to a slow start, Allen could be moved. 

"If the Cavaliers can't compete, then they can't justify the contract cost," Buckley wrote. "And if they ever make that concession, Allen would be 'the most likely' player to move, per Heavy.com's Sean Deveney. While Allen's skill set is fairly limited, his market might be robust. Few rim-runners provide a bigger impact on both ends of the floor than the career 64.1 percent shooter who has thrice received votes for Defensive Player of the Year."

Cleveland opens next season against LeBron James and the 76ers in Philadelphia. That will be an electric atmosphere. The Cavaliers are under major pressure to reach the NBA Finals since they have an expensive roster.  

If the Cavaliers falter in the 2027 playoffs, don't be surprised if Mitchell, Harden and Allen are not on the team in 2027-28. And if Cleveland is struggling near the 2027 NBA trade deadline, we could see an in-season Allen trade.