LeBron James is one of the best players in NBA history. If you disagree, you’ve got a bias. You may have a handful of players ahead of him in your all-time ranking – that’s fair.
If he falls outside of your top five, we suspect that you’ve got a personal problem. Meanwhile, he’s comfortably the best player to ever suit up for the Cleveland Cavaliers. That’s difficult to dispute.
James led the Cavaliers to their only title in franchise history. Where does he rank in the history of the Los Angeles Lakers? That’s a more difficult question to answer.
The Lakers are the most storied franchise in NBA history. James has won a title with them, but he’d need to at least win another to join certain conversations.
Could acquiring Jarrett Allen from his former team help the Lakers help James achieve that goal?
NBA Trade Proposal: Los Angeles Lakers Land Cleveland Cavaliers’ Jarrett Allen
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: F Rui Hachimura, G/F Cam Reddish, C Jaxson Hayes
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: C Jarrett Allen
Now, the Cavaliers are trying to forge a history that isn’t tied to James. Still, they’ll always owe him a debt. James brought the Cavaliers to four straight NBA Finals trips.
He lent the organization an air of legitimacy that they didn’t have before. How is the post-James era going? That’s a difficult question to answer. The Cavaliers have a lot of talent.
They’ve got two clear-cut franchise cornerstones in Evan Mobley and Darius Garland. On the other hand, it seems as if Donovan Mitchell is a flight risk. Meanwhile, that’s not the only concern that the Cavaliers currently have.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The fit between Mobley and Allen is also concerning. In last year’s playoffs, their combined inability to space the floor was problematic. In 2023-24, it hasn’t looked any cleaner.
Is it time for the Cavaliers to move Mobley?
Why The Cleveland Cavaliers Do The Deal
The fit between Allen and Mobley isn’t great. Simple. Next question. We’re joking. Yet, the fit is poor. It appears as if the Cavaliers may benefit from shifting Mobley to the five.
Sure, his limited strength will make certain matchups problematic. At the same time, the mobility advantage he’ll enjoy against virtually every big man in the league ought to be worth that trade-off.
Meanwhile, it will be easier to assemble high-octane offensive lineups with Mobley manning the middle. In order to do that, the Cavaliers will need some wings.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Hachimura should be a nice fit, and Reddish is worth taking a flyer on as well. Meanwhile, Hayes will be serviceable in situations when the Cavaliers do want to go big.
Should the Lakers give all of those players up for Allen?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
Remember that recent Lakers title that we mentioned? Following this deal, the team would look a lot like those title teams did. Los Angeles had a lot of success by pairing Anthony Davis with a rim protector like Allen – only Allen will be a massive upgrade over Dwight Howard or JaVale McGee.
Arguably, we’re being inconsistent. If Allen is struggling with Mobley, why would he thrive alongside Davis? Remember that “GOAT” candidate we discussed earlier? James solves a lot of problems.
The Lakers can bludgeon opponents with size with him at the three, and his playmaking ability will help the offense run smoothly.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Best of all, the Lakers are capitalizing on a buy-low opportunity here. Allen’s reputation has taken a hit, so the Lakers may be able to land him without giving up a first-round pick. That just might help James cement his legacy in the process.
