Cavaliers Star Jarrett Allen Named Trade Target for Hornets

Bleacher Report's Dan Favale named Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen a trade target for the Charlotte Hornets. 

Allen starting alongside Coby White, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and Naz Reid could make the Hornets a lethal Eastern Conference contender. 

Allen 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.

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. Why is that important?

Well, many people around the NBA believe the Cavaliers could trade Allen if they struggle because his contract is easy tradeable and many teams admire him. 

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.

Allen will make $28 million this season. It will be interesting to see if he remains with the Cavaliers.

Miller appeared in 65 games for the Hornets last season, his third year in the NBA. He averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 43.5% from the field, 38.3% from beyond the arc and 89.2% from the free-throw line.

Miller enters this season with career averages of 19.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He was the second overall pick in the 2023 draft. 

Meanwhile, even though Knueppel didn't win the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year award, he still had a special season for the Hornets. The swingman averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game and shot 47.5% from the field, 42.5% from beyond the arc and 86.3% from the free-throw line and led the NBA in 3-pointers.

Many Hornets fans are excited to watch Reid play alongside White, Miller and Knueppel. Reid won the 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year award. He enters this season with regular-season averages of 11.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game and playoff averages of 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. 

For Minnesota last season, Reid averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 45.6% from the field, 36.2% from beyond the arc and 73.2% from the free-throw line. He recorded six double-doubles. 

White was born and raised in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He played high school basketball at Greenfield School in Wilson, North Carolina, and played college basketball at UNC.

North Carolina is special to White, which is why he's happy the Chicago Bulls traded him to the Hornets last season.   

The Hornets acquired White from the Bulls in February. In 21 games with Charlotte, White played well. He averaged 15.6 points per game while shooting 46.1% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc and 83.9% from the foul line. 

Lee's group opens the 2026-27 season on the road against the Nets. The home opener is against the Atlanta Hawks.