A new type of big man is taking over the NBA. Did you watch the Oklahoma City Thunder play the San Antonio Spurs the other day? You should have. It was a window into the future. It was the first time Victor Wembanyama would face off against Chet Holmgren.
These types of long, agile big men are trending right now. Before Wembanyama or Holmgren, Evan Mobley would enter the league. Alexandre Sarr is next. The question is this: are these guys better suited at the five or the five?
You can make either case. These guys all give their team a mobility advantage at the 5. On the other hand, they also have to fight on the interior with some stronger big men around the league.
Could the Thunder avoid putting Holmgren through that by acquiring Jarrett Allen from the Cavaliers?
NBA Trade Proposal — Oklahoma City Thunder Land Jarrett Allen
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: F Davis Bertans, G Lindy Waters III, 2024 First-Round Pick (Top 10 Protected – UTA via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: C Jarrett Allen
On the other hand, the league is always trending in one direction or another. Let’s go way back in NBA history. The Chicago Bulls selected Michael Jordan with the third pick in the 1984 draft. What were they thinking?
After all, you can’t build a team around a guard, right? Big men dominated the league at that time. If you know the first thing about basketball, you know what happened. Jordan changed the game, and everyone tried to follow Chicago’s lead.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Vince Carter. Jerry Stackhouse. Ricky Davis. Plenty of players would receive the “next Jordan” label, but only Kobe Bryant would earn it. Will we be talking about the next Wembanyama in 20 years?
Does this deal help the Thunder ensure that Holmgren is in that conversation, too?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do This Deal
It’s funny. We just saw Allen and Mobley struggle together in the playoffs. That’s exactly why it’s being speculated that Allen could be available. Why would the Thunder acquire him now?
Well, Holmgren isn’t Mobley. He profiles as a better shooter. The lack of combined floor spacing between Mobley and Allen was a problem. If Holmgren hits his ceiling, that won’t be an issue here. Yet, even if they don’t fit, this could be an intermediary step. Allen could ease Holmgren into NBA life.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Meanwhile, the two combined should anchor an elite defense for the Thunder. That could help them make a push towards the play-in tournament this season.
Should the Cavaliers help them make that push?
Why The Cleveland Cavaliers Do This Deal
Holmgren isn’t Mobley. Mobley isn’t Holmgren either. He’s got a significant strength advantage on Holmgren. At this point, Mobley is more equipped to make a move to the 5 than Holmgren is.
Here, we’ve got the Cavaliers moving him to the 5. In all likelihood, they’d let a platoon of players handle the 4. Bertans could be part of that platoon. The Cavs have the roster to keep a strong floor spacer alongside Mobley in the frontcourt.
Doing so ought to open up their offensive attack. Yet, the Cavs have long-term motives here as well. This team recently spent a large amount of draft capital on Donovan Mitchell – here, they’re getting a pick back.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
All told, that should be enough to motivate them to move Mobley to the 5. Who knows? He may change the game.
