The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly interested in Cleveland Cavaliers big man Jarrett Allen, but they shouldn't get their hopes up.
The Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers have been frequently connected this offseason, largely due to free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
The Cavs are interested in the forward but would need Atlanta's help to acquire him in a sign-and-trade scenario.
Now, there's another wrinkle to consider between the two teams. According to a report from The Stein Line, the Hawks have made their interest in big man Jarrett Allen known to the Cavs for some time. However, Cleveland hasn't entertained moving him, per the report.
That isn't going to stop former Hawks All-Star Jeff Teague from fantasizing about the idea.
"We'll take Jarrett Allen off your hand for sure," he said on Tuesday. "Yeah, we aight now. We get Jarrett Allen, we damn near, pull us back up to the five, six seed for sure."
The problem for Teague and the Hawks is that the Allen dream may be just that: a dream.
The one-time All-Star has come up in countless trade rumors over the years for the Cavs, but the team has opted to keep him through all of that. As such, it's a safe bet that Cleveland is going to have to be truly enticed by an offer in order to move him.
The center has become a staple for the Cavs after they acquired him from the Brooklyn Nets several years ago. He has been a key piece in their turnaround from a struggling franchise, serving as a nightly double-double threat and strong defender.
This past season, he averaged 15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 63.8 percent from the field. Always an efficient scorer, he led the league in shooting percentage the season before last. He was originally the No. 22 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and has certainly lived up to his potential.
The Hawks' ideal scenario may be to get him as part of a Kuminga sign-and-trade, but that doesn't appear realistic. The Kuminga sweepstakes are going to continue until he and a team reach an agreement on terms that work for both sides, and if necessary, a sign-and-trade structure will also have to come together to complete the process.
It should also be noted that the Hawks themselves haven't been ruled out as suitors for the former lottery pick after he finished the 2025-26 season with them.
Meanwhile, in Cleveland, the Cavs are set to enter the new season with Allen and fellow big man Evan Mobley holding it down in the frontcourt barring an unforeseen splash. Allen and Mobley have been a defining part of Cavs hoops in recent years and are hoping to help the team take the next step in the 2026-27 season.
