Latest news with #JarrettAllen
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Best Replacements For Jaxson Hayes Amid Uncertain Future With The Lakers
The Best Replacements For Jaxson Hayes Amid Uncertain Future With The Lakers originally appeared on Fadeaway World. After a humbling defeat in the first round of this year's NBA playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of many active teams in the months to come. For now, it's a mystery what trades the Lakers may be considering (especially for Austin Reaves), but it's no secret where their greatest needs are: the frontcourt. Advertisement After trading for Anthony Davis (in the legendary acquisition of Luka Doncic), the Lakers gave up their star big man without getting any reliable centers back. Once they rescinded the trade for Mark Williams before the deadline, all the Lakers had left was Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber, who didn't make his debut until Game 5. The young big man did the best he could, but he was not fit to serve as the Lakers' starting center. By the end of the series against the Timberwolves, Hayes was out of the rotation after losing the trust of head coach JJ Redick. This summer, finding his replacement is a top priority, or, at the very least, finding someone to take his starting spot so that he can return to a bench role. Both in free agency and on the trade front, the Lakers have several paths to improve, and you can bet that they'll be considering several names when the NBA playoffs are done in June. Nic Claxton Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) dunks past Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lindy Waters III (12) in the second quarter at Barclays Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The Brooklyn Nets have not been competitive for some time now, and there are some questions about how Nic Claxton, 25, fits into their long-term vision for the future. The NBA big man has been with the Nets since he was drafted in 2019 and has another three years and $68 million left on his contract. Advertisement Known as an elite athlete and rim protector, Claxton has been a stabilizing force in the frontcourt with averages of 10.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game in his career. His defense, rebounding, and shot-making around the rim would be a major boost for the Lakers, who need some additional scoring outside of their "big two." The price for Claxton would be pretty steep as a top 10 center in the league, and it might require the Lakers to part ways with Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dalton Knecht. Still, for a defensive-minded big man in the middle, it might be worth the sacrifice. Related: Massive 3-Team Trade Idea: Supertalented Center And Proven Wing To Lakers; Ja Morant To Heat Jarrett Allen Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) dribbles the ball in the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images In Cleveland, Jarrett Allen has emerged as a star for the Cavaliers, and his work with teammate and co-star Evan Mobley in the frontcourt helped them earn the best record in the East this season (64-18). But after an early exit in the second round, the Cavs are ready to make changes, and a swap at center is reportedly in consideration. Advertisement Allen, a 1x All-Star, has been a key contributor to the Cavs' top-ranked defense over the years. At 6'11" and 240+ pounds, Allen is more of a traditional big man who hangs around the rim and controls the game with his interior dominance. In 82 games this season, he averaged 13.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game on 70.6% shooting. Financially, the Lakers could make the trade work by packaging Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht, but it may take more than that for the Cavs to part with their starting big man. Depending on how badly the Lakers want Allen, they may have to give up someone like Austin Reaves or throw in their final first-round pick to get the deal done. Daniel Gafford Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Brooklyn Nets at the American Airlines Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Daniel Gafford has only been a Maverick for less than two full seasons, but he's already made a strong impression on the franchise. Since he arrived in 2024, the Mavericks have been steadily in the championship conversation, but after adding Anthony Davis to the fold, there are questions about where Gafford fits into the new roster. Advertisement The 26-year-old center is a great rebounder and natural shot-blocker with averages of 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game for the 2024-25 season. He's no star, but his contract is relatively cheap with just one year and $14.4 million remaining for the 2025-26 campaign. Best of all, he already has experience playing with Luka Doncic, who is now considered the future of the Lakers. If the Lakers want to avoid giving up too much in a trade for a big man, Gafford may be their best bet given his modest numbers and affordable contract. With many suitors for Gafford, the Lakers may not have enough assets to outbid their competitors, but they can still make a compelling offer centered around either Dorian-Finney Smith or Rui Hachimura. With Luka Doncic on the team and LeBron James approaching retirement, this summer is going to be pivotal for the Lakers in determining their fate for the next few years to come. If they play the cards right, these next few months will only increase their title odds as they make much-needed upgrades to the supporting cast. Related: NBA Rumors: 4 Veterans The Lakers Could Acquire This Offseason Related: 7 Winning NBA Trade Ideas Featuring Lakers, Warriors, Celtics, And Mavericks Related: Lakers Unlikely To Re-Sign Two Players In 2025 Free Agency This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Lakers Listed as Potential Landing Spot For All-Star Center
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As the Los Angeles Lakers get ready to fully embrace the offseason, the roster has one big glaring need. This would be a center, and every other team in the NBA knows this. More NBA news: Lakers Could Be in Position to Land Perfect Luka Doncic Co-Star Due to this, it could cause some issues for Los Angeles as it tries to navigate the situation. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka will need to get clever in adding talent to this roster, specifically in upgrading the frontcourt. Los Angeles has been linked with all sorts of players already, but they are now being listed as a potential landing spot for an All-Star big. According to NBA writer Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers is a dream trade target for the Lakers. Allen could check a lot of boxes for the Lakers and would complement star guard Luka Doncic very well. But what the Lakers could offer Cleveland would remain to be seen due to their limited tradeable assets. CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 23: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the Eastern Conference... CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 23: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on April 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. More Photo byHowever, Cleveland will be entering an interesting offseason after an early playoff exit. There have already been reports coming out about Allen potentially being available on the trade market. More NBA news: Cavaliers Trade Proposal Has Darius Garland Land With Surprising Rival Cavaliers insider Chris Fedor reported that Cleveland would at least consider moving Allen this offseason. This is where the Lakers could strike gold due to the struggles that Cleveland saw in the postseason. "I think the two untouchables are Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley," Cavs insider Chris Fedor said. "I have been getting the sense that the Cavs would be more willing to entertain and at least consider possibilities for Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland than they have in the past." Allen averaged 13.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.9 blocks per game. The big man would be perfect playing with Doncic and LeBron James, giving them a rim-running, lob-threat on offense. Defensively, Allen could hold his own and give Los Angeles a solid rebounder as well. The Lakers could make a push to land Allen, and if they were to agree on a deal, it could make all the difference in how next season plays out. More NBA news: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Shoe Brand Takes Massive Shot at Anthony Edwards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Could Match LeBron James, Steph Curry NBA Finals Feat For more on the Lakers, Cavaliers, and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
This mock trade gives the Lakers a three-time All-Star center
This mock trade gives the Lakers a three-time All-Star center People seem to be split on whether the Los Angeles Lakers should go after a role-playing, defensive-minded center who rim runs and excels on the boards or one who is an All-Star caliber player and is also an offensive threat. One writer has suggested that the Lakers should aim somewhat high and go after Jarrett Allen, the Cleveland Cavaliers center who was an All-Star three years ago. Another writer proposed a big mock trade that would give them not only Allen but three other viable complementary players who would make them much deeper. Jonah Kubicek of NBA Analysis raised the bar even higher by suggesting a mock trade that would give Los Angeles Bam Adebayo, a Miami Heat big man who has made the All-Star team three times. In this trade idea, the team would give up forwards Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt and wing Dalton Knecht, as well as a 2031 first-round draft pick and first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030. Via NBA Analysis: "With wings like Dorian Finney-Smith, Jordan Goodwin, and whichever free agents they can add (they are the Lakers, after all), Los Angeles only needs a rim-running center," Kubicek wrote. "They have the assets to land one of the best ones in the league." Adebayo has been one of the NBA's best big men on the defensive end for the last few years. He is seemingly always a candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award, at least in the minds of the Heat, and has been named to one of the league's All-Defensive teams in each of the previous five seasons. But Adebayo, who is 28 years of age in July, is much more than a defensive specialist. He has career averages of 15.7 points and 8.9 rebounds a game, as well as a lifetime shooting mark of 53.7% from the field, and he's a strong finisher at the rim, which could make him a nice target for lob passes from Luka Doncic. He even expanded his offensive game a bit this season by making 35.7% of his 2.8 3-point attempts per game. Overall, he could be a viable No. 3 offensive option for Los Angeles, especially after LeBron James leaves. The downside of this trade for L.A. is that its roster would be very thin afterward. It would only have the expiring contracts of big men Maxi Kleber and guard Gabe Vincent to use as trade assets, although it could always elect to move Austin Reaves in order to become deeper at the guard and forward spots. It is hard to imagine the Heat trading Adebayo, let alone to the Lakers, especially given how ruthless team president Pat Riley is. But with six-time All-Star forward Jimmy Butler gone, the team clearly needs to retool, and it is always possible it decides to hit the proverbial reset button. If that happens, one can only hope Riley, who won six NBA championships with the Lakers as a player, assistant coach and head coach, would do the Purple and Gold a solid, especially knowing that his current team is far away from winning it all.
Forbes
29-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Which Teams Could Trade For Darius Garland Or Jarrett Allen?
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 07: Darius Garland #10 and Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers ... More look on during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Capital One Arena on February 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) The 2025 offseason is expected to be a busy one, and one of the teams that could be an active player in all the mayhem is the Cleveland Cavaliers. After their best season since LeBron James left town, the Cavaliers fizzled out in the second round of the playoffs for the second time in as many years, bringing back concerns about the overlapping skillsets of their four best players. Individually, Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen are fantastic players. The four of them finished in the top 20 this season in Estimated Plus-Minus (per Dunks & Threes). Unfortunately, Garland's skillset clashes with Mitchell's, and ditto for Mobley/Allen. This leaves them vulnerable to more balanced teams like the Indiana Pacers. Plus, the Cavaliers are on track to be a second apron team in 2025-26. These conditions have reportedly made the team open to the prospect of trading Garland and Allen. But if they are actually available, which teams should pursue them? And what would those trades look like? Even if they break up their core four, a tandem of Mitchell/Mobley is still potent enough to compete for titles (particularly in an Eastern Conference that will be powered down with Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard set to miss most/all of next year). So, in potential trades involving Garland/Allen, Cleveland should be requesting players who can amplify these two (along with some draft capital). In this case, the Cavaliers should be looking for two-way wings/forwards, a backup big to offer Mobley some relief, and a secondary creator to fill some of the void left by Garland. While we won't go into every single possible deal that could take place this summer, we will go into some examples of trades featuring Garland, Allen, and one including both the All-Star caliber performers. The most obvious destination for Allen would be the Los Angeles Lakers. After trading Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic, the Lakers are in desperate need of a pick-and-roll partner for Doncic, who can also be an enforcer in the paint. A potential trade could look something like this: Jarrett Allen Trade Idea. Rui Hachimura isn't an elite defender, but he has graded out as a positive in that area over the last three years. Meanwhile, on offense, he's a good shooter (41.3%) and finisher around the rim (66.5%). He's also still young (27) and pretty battle-tested (26 playoff games in the last three years). Overall, Hachimura is a clear starting-caliber forward in this league and a nice frontcourt fit next to Mobley. Dalton Knecht gives the Cavaliers a bigger and younger version of Sam Merrill (Knecht is an inch taller and five years younger), which will enable the team to let him walk in free agency this summer without a worry. They would also net some draft capital in this deal with the Lakers' 2026 first-round pick. As for Garland, the defensively brilliant (2nd in defensive rating) but offensively-challenged (third in offensive rating) Orlando Magic could be a prime candidate for his services. In a perfect world, the Cavaliers would get Jalen Suggs in return for Garland. But it is hard to imagine the Magic would be willing to part ways with someone so deeply embedded in their core. So, just in case they aren't willing to include him in this deal, here is an alternative idea: Darius Garland Trade Idea. Last year was a down one for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but he's still one of the best two-way role players of the last decade (he was also quietly much better after January 1). He'd be the perfect guy to share a backcourt with Mitchell. Anthony Black didn't have the sophomore surge that his advocates had hoped for, but he's still a great perimeter defender (80th percentile DEF EPM) with plenty of time to develop (21 years old) into the secondary ball handler Cleveland will need if Garland leaves. Although, if he is the only true facilitator the Cavaliers get back in these trades, they will really need to prioritize re-signing Ty Jerome in free agency. Goga Bitadze isn't a household name, but he is one of the best cost-controlled backup bigs in the NBA right now. His game is simple, yet effective. Bitadze sets hard screens, rolls to the rim, finishes layup passes, blocks shots, and is always in the right position on defense. The analytics love him, as he's placed in at least the 93rd percentile in DEF EPM and the 81st percentile in EPM in each of the last two years. The two first round picks from Orlando will give Cleveland three overall from the two trades. Jaylon Tyson and Jett Howard are included here to make the money work. The Dallas Mavericks would be another interesting trade partner for Garland. With Kyrie Irving set to miss most of next season with a torn ACL, the Mavericks will need someone to set the table for Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Cooper Flagg. And even when Irving comes back, lineups with him and Garland will still be tenable because of how much size they boast on the front line. Plus, they have Daniel Gafford and a cavalcade of wings/forwards to include in a trade. If one team were to acquire Garland and Allen in one fell swoop, the Magic would make the most sense. They are a playoff-caliber team that is in need of an upgrade at point guard and center, and a starting five of Garland/Caldwell-Pope/Franz Wagner/Paolo Banchero/Allen would be pretty formidable in the East (they would certainly need to part ways with Suggs in this case). Along with Suggs, the Magic would need to give 2 or 3 first round picks, Black, at least one of their three centers, and some combination of salary filler/young players Cleveland can try to take a flier on. Some other teams that could be interested in one of these two studs are the Houston Rockets (Garland), Phoenix Suns (Allen), Brooklyn Nets (Garland), Boston Celtics (Allen), Sacramento Kings (Garland), Milwaukee Bucks (Allen), Chicago Bulls (Allen), Miami Heat (Garland), and Toronto Raptors (Allen). Another alternative for the Cavaliers is to just trade one of those two players. If that's the route they choose to go, their best bet would be to trade Garland. He's the better player, which makes him the better trade asset, and Allen is on the much more team-friendly deal (Garland's average annual value is 39.4 million over the next four years, and Allen's is only 20 million next year before turning into 30.2 over the following three). In any event, the Cavaliers have some huge decisions to make this offseason – the kind that could completely alter the landscape of the league – making them one of the most interesting teams to monitor over the next few months.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Trade Idea Sends Four Players To The Lakers, Including Top Center From Eastern Powerhouse
A new blockbuster trade proposal has stirred up the NBA offseason conversation, this time with the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Atlanta Hawks forming a three-team deal that would send four players to the Lakers, including All-Star center Jarrett Allen, a top-tier big man from the East. This ambitious trade idea, conceptualized by Sports Illustrated's Jackson Caudell, aims to meet the immediate needs of all three franchises while navigating the financial complexities of the new collective bargaining agreement. Advertisement Though speculative, it paints a realistic scenario in which the Lakers bolster their interior presence, the Cavs shed salary to avoid second-apron restrictions, and the Hawks add quality depth. Full Trade Details: Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jarrett Allen, Terance Mann, Isaac Okoro, Georges Niang, 2027 Second-Round Pick (via ATL/CLE), 2029 Second-Round Pick (via ATL/CLE) Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, Shake Milton, Maxi Kleber, 2030 First-Round Pick Swap (via LAL), Unprotected 2031 First-Round Pick (via LAL), Three 2031 Second-Round Picks Atlanta Hawks Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Max Strus This Trade Could Help Out The Lakers Big Time The Lakers' postseason loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves exposed a glaring hole in their frontcourt rotation, they lacked a consistent, athletic, rim-protecting center. Jarrett Allen would immediately solve that issue. Advertisement The 26-year-old is one of the NBA's premier shot-blockers and rebounders, and his ability to anchor the paint defensively would fit perfectly alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James. He's also an efficient rim-runner, ideal for pick-and-roll actions with Luka. Adding Isaac Okoro and Terance Mann gives the Lakers defensive versatility on the wing, while Georges Niang provides valuable floor spacing on an expiring deal. Essentially, LA would be upgrading multiple parts of their rotation without losing any of their core players, though they'd be giving up key future draft assets. The Cavaliers Could Be Willing To Blow It Up Cleveland has financial decisions looming. With Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley expected to make over $80 million more next season combined, the Cavaliers are facing second-apron penalties that would cripple their trade flexibility. Advertisement By trading Jarrett Allen, they can move Mobley to center, a position many believe maximizes his potential, and start fresh with a more financially manageable rotation. The package of Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, and picks isn't equal talent-wise to Allen and Okoro, but the financial relief and future flexibility may be worth it. The unprotected 2031 first-rounder from the Lakers could hold serious long-term value if the team's stars retire or decline by then. The Hawks Get Depth Atlanta adds Jarred Vanderbilt, a tenacious perimeter and interior defender, and Max Strus, a proven shooter with postseason experience. These two would upgrade the Hawks' bench and provide needed defensive grit and spacing around Trae Young. Final Thoughts This trade is far from guaranteed, but it checks several boxes. The Lakers address their biggest roster hole without parting with Doncic or LeBron. The Cavaliers clear significant salary, pivot to Mobley at the five, and gain multiple assets. The Hawks enhance their rotation without losing core pieces. With three teams under pressure to reshape their futures, this deal could be the kind of creative blockbuster that defines the 2025 offseason.
