One NBA writer advocated a trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New Orleans Pelicans this summer.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report offered the following deal between the Cavaliers and Pelicans:
The Cleveland Cavaliers get Brandon Ingram and Jordan Hawkins from the New Orleans Pelicans for Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert.
The Cavaliers have been linked to Ingram as a possible trade partner, while the Pelicans have been linked to Allen.
“For the Cavs, dealing Allen would constitute a partial reset,” Hughes stated. “In this scenario, Donovan Mitchell would remain with the team at least until the 2025 trade deadline, alongside Darius Garland and Evan Mobley.” The primary difference is that Mobley would transition to a full-time position at the 5, improving spacing for Ingram to play as a secondary scorer. This version of the Cavs would be vastly different from the ‘two-big, two-small’ team we’ve seen since Mitchell arrived.
“Mitchell and Garland’s lack of size creates defensive issues. Swapping Allen for Ingram might compound the situation by removing a rim protector and rebounder off the court. However, it appears that the Cavs’ inability to score was the most limiting factor during the regular season and playoffs. Even though Ingram is not renowned as a high-volume three-point shooter, he might alleviate much of Cleveland’s spacing crunch, which resulted in the team’s No. 18 offensive rating.
Ingram is nearing the final year of his deal, and there has been conjecture that the Pelicans will move him this summer.
This season, Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists for the Pelicans, shooting 49.2% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc, and 80.1% from the foul line. He can sign an extension this offseason.
“With Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones emerging as better fits next to Zion Williamson in New Orleans, the Pelicans can justify swapping out Ingram for a big man who’ll defend the paint and control the boards,” Hughes stated. “Last year’s starter, Jonas Valanciunas, is a free agent who appears unlikely to return.
Though Allen will not spread the floor, his mobility and interior presence make him the superior shot-altering last-line defender. It should go without saying that he’d be a considerably superior lob danger than the ground-bound Valanciunas.
Allen has two years and $40 million remaining on his contract. This season, the Texas product averaged 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks for the Cavaliers, shooting 63.4% from the field and 74.2% from the free throw line.
This year’s playoffs saw the Oklahoma City Thunder sweep the Pelicans in the first round, while the Boston Celtics defeated the Cavaliers in five games in the second round.
Allen has a career NBA average of 12.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.3 blocks for the Brooklyn Nets and Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, Ingram has career NBA averages of 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists for the Los Angeles Lakers and Pelicans. With New Orleans, he received the Most Improved Player of the Year award in 2019-20.
Leave a Reply