Watch out for the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers as potential trade partners this summer.
The Lakers’ need for a quality center has been documented tirelessly, but people won’t stop writing about it until they land one. Cleveland, meanwhile has two All-Star-caliber centers and could arrive at some much-needed financial breathing room by cutting ties with one of them.
With Evan Mobley being the more valuable and younger of the two bigs, Cleveland might consider moving Jarrett Allen, an elite rim-protecting center in his own right, to balance their lineup and finances.
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz named Allen a “dream target” for the Lakers on Tuesday, and, interestingly, named Lakers wing Dorian Finney-Smith as a “dream target” for the Cavaliers.
“It’s no secret which position the Los Angeles Lakers will be targeting this offseason,” Swartz wrote.
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“Finding a starting center is a must, preferably one that can finish off lobs from Luka Dončić and LeBron James while providing some rim protection.
Allen can fill both these needs while mixing in some passing chops. … Finney-Smith would be a superb 3-and-D starting power forward if Jarrett Allen is traded and the Cavaliers move Mobley to center.”
Constructing a trade for Allen would be no easy task for Lakers GM Rob Pelinka. The Lakers would struggle to craft an enticing offer without including Austin Reaves, a young star Cleveland would likely demand. A package of Rui Hachimura and a 2031 first-round pick, while financially viable, wouldn’t move the needle for the Cavaliers, who’d want more for their 27-year-old All-Star.
A more compelling deal might involve Dorian Finney-Smith, Dalton Knecht, and the 2031 first-rounder. Finney-Smith, a versatile 3-and-D wing on an expiring contract, would fit seamlessly on the Cavs, while Knecht, a promising rookie with a low-cost deal, would provide shooting.
Still, this package might fall short unless Cleveland prioritizes flexibility over star power. If the Lakers can somehow sweeten the deal, landing Allen would make their summer a successful one.
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