The 2023-24 NBA season has been more kind to some teams than others. Luck plays a role in every season. With that said, some teams have had especially poor luck this year.
It’s hard to imagine worse luck than the Memphis Grizzlies have had this year. They began the year without Ja Morant – he was serving a suspension. When Morant returned, he looked every bit of his typical MVP-candidate self – before quickly suffering a season-ending injury.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies haven’t had Steven Adams all year. They ended up trading him to the Houston Rockets. Now, the Grizzlies may look to replace Adams this summer. Could they acquire Jarrett Allen from the Cleveland Cavaliers?
NBA Trade Proposal
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: G Marcus Smart, G/F John Konchar, 2025 First-Round Pick (Top 5 Protected – MEM)
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: C Jarrett Allen
Luck matters in any season. When a team has bad enough luck, they can write off their season. When they have good luck and still fall short of expectations, they have to consider their place in the league.
At the same time, a failed season doesn’t require a team to give up. They may want to give their core more time to gel. Still, a pair of disappointing seasons in a row should really make a team think.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
So, this is a big year for the Cavaliers. They were disappointed to be eliminated in the first round in 2022-23. If they suffer the same fate this year, could they move Allen in the summer?
Why The Cleveland Cavaliers Do The Deal
If the Cavaliers fall short of expectations this year, they’re likely to look at their frontcourt formation. As it stands, they run a pair of big men up front in Allen and Evan Mobley. Could Mobley be more optimal at the 5?
If the Cavaliers think so, they’ll make this deal partly to shift him to that position. They’ll need to find a big 3-and-D wing to play the 4. This deal doesn’t net them that type of player. Still, it does have them landing a player who should be useful for them.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
After all, the Cavs also run an undersized backcourt in Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. By adding Smart, they can stagger their two ball-handlers and have an elite defender next to one when the other is resting. Should the Grizzlies help the Cavaliers change their roster?
Why The Memphis Grizzlies Do The Deal
The Grizzlies will likely look to replace Adams. After all, they also moved Xavier Tillman this year. Sure, they still have Brandon Clarke, but he’s more of a combo big than a pure big.
Allen isn’t precisely Adams. He’s an upgrade. While he’s not as effective as an offensive rebounder or screen setter, he’s a better offensive player and a better rim protector.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Imagine him next to Jaren Jackson Jr. With Allen defending the pain in drop coverage and Jackson Jr. freelancing, the Grizzlies should have one of the best defenses in the NBA. That should help them have a better 2024-25 season – with a bit of luck, of course.
