The Indiana Pacers reportedly have interest in trading for a new starting center ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, and a new candidate may have emerged.
According to The Athletic's Sam Amick, the Cleveland Cavaliers have explored the idea of trading big man Jarrett Allen as a way to gain financial flexibility.
"Their second-apron status has been well chronicled, but league sources say they’ve explored ways of trading the contract of big man Jarrett Allen ($90.7 million combined in the next three seasons) as a way of unlocking much bigger possibilities," Amick wrote.
Next season will be the first of Allen's three-year, $90.7 million extension he signed in 2024. For some context, his $30.2 million AAV next season would make him the third-highest-paid player on the Pacers' roster, only behind Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam (according to Basketball-Reference.com).
Would it cost the Pacers a pretty penny to trade for the one-time All-Star (if he truly is available)? Yes. But should they make it a priority to trade for him if there's a possibility to? Also yes.
Allen is probably a top-10 center in the league and is pretty clearly an upgrade over the guys Indiana has right now (no disrespect to Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson, but it's the truth). It would take a lot for the team to get him, but doing so would absolutely raise their ceiling and improve their long-term outlook.
Jarrett Allen would be a great addition for the Pacers
Through 39 games this season, Allen has averaged 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal while shooting 60.5% from the field in 27.1 minutes.
The Texas alum is a fantastic rim protector and is a strong paint presence on both sides of the ball. Additionally, he is an incredible rebounder (he currently ranks 16th in the league in total rebound%), and he is capable of running the length of the floor, which is huge in Indiana's system.
Allen isn't much of a floor-spacer at all. He is 1-for-9 (11.1%) on three-point attempts this season, and even that is the most efficient he's been from the outside since the 2020-21 season, when he shot 6-for-19 (31.6%) from deep. However, there is no denying that he would be a great fit for the Pacers regardless, and he would far and away immediately be their best option at center.
The 27-year-old has earned Defensive Player of the Year votes in three of his first eight seasons, and he led the league in FG% last season (70.6%). Allen possesses a lot of talent, is a good fit in the Pacers' system, and fits their timeline. Whether he is actually attainable this season is a different question, but if he is, the Pacers must do whatever they can to make sure they get him by Thursday.