When an NBA team finds their franchise player, they’ve taken care of the most important step towards contention. In the end, your most talented player will dictate your success more than anyone else. A star player can define a team’s era. With that in mind, the Dallas Mavericks are firmly in the Luka Doncic era.
Of course, even the brightest stars can’t carry a team on their own. They need a co-star. At last year’s deadline, the Mavericks acquired Doncic’s. They traded for Kyrie Irving, and this summer, they retained him in free agency. So, the Mavericks have a star duo. Are they done building this roster?
Not quite. The Mavericks need a stronger supporting cast around their star duo. That may start with a big man who can anchor their defense. By all accounts, the Mavericks are in pursuit of just such a player this summer. How about Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers?
The Trade Proposal
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: G/F Tim Hardaway Jr., G/F Josh Green, 2027 First-Round Pick (DAL)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: C Jarrett Allen
Meanwhile, franchise players come in all shapes and sizes. Usually, they’re a player that can carry your offense. Not always. Sometimes, teams will build around a two-way superstar. That’s seemingly the approach that the Cavaliers plan on taking.
Will Evan Mobley ever be one of the best offensive players in the NBA? It’s doubtful. On the other hand, don’t be surprised if he wins multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards. Meanwhile, he should still be a distinctly positive presence on the offensive end. Mobley is the Cavaliers’ franchise player.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers & Dallas Mavericks Updates
So, the Cavaliers have to do right by him. If a player doesn’t pair well with him, they need to move that player. In this year’s playoffs, Allen didn’t look like a great fit alongside Mobley. Their combined lack of spacing and general offensive ability was an issue against the New York Knicks. Should the Cavaliers trade Allen as a result?
Why The Cleveland Cavaliers Do The Deal
Yes. That’s why we’re writing so many Allen trades this summer. This duo doesn’t make for an ideal pairing. In time, the Cavs will likely look to slide Mobley up to the 5. With this deal, they’re beginning that process.
None of that is a knock on Allen. He’s an outstanding player. If the Cavaliers really have him on the trade block, they shouldn’t settle for less than a sterling return. We think this deal should satisfy them. The Cavaliers are landing two players at a position of need and an unprotected first-round pick.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers & Dallas Mavericks Updates
in the short term, adding a strong movement shooter like Hardaway Jr. should help. Still, if the Cavaliers like what they see in the athletic, defensive-minded Green, he could be part of their core as well. Throw in an unprotected first, and this deal could force the Cavs to move off of Allen. Should the Mavericks target him?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
So, Mobley isn’t the ideal frontcourt partner for Allen. Who would be? We think he’d thrive alongside a strong floor spacing 4. Allen is a great defender, so his partner doesn’t need to be Mobley-level, but it wouldn’t hurt if they were a plus on that end of the floor. In other words, he should thrive alongside a player like Grant Williams.
We like that pairing a lot. Still, this is mostly about Allen’s chemistry with Doncic when it comes to offense. The two should be the backbone of an elite pick-and-roll attack. Yet, the Mavericks are targeting Allen for his defense first. He’s an elite rim protector who can also survive in space when need be.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers & Dallas Mavericks Updates
In other words, Allen is the perfect player to anchor this team’s defense. Meanwhile, Green is due for an extension next summer anyway, and Dallas may not want to give it to him. In terms of the outgoing pieces here, the Mavericks will really only miss the first-round pick. That’s a small price to pay for a defensive anchor – after all, Dallas already has their franchise player.
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