The Cleveland Cavaliers are considering changes to their roster following their recent elimination in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. A potential Jarrett Allen trade proposal with the Cleveland Cavaliers involves acquiring Cameron Johnson from the Brooklyn Nets as part of efforts to strengthen the team’s playoff prospects.
Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes outlined a trade scenario where the Cavaliers would receive forward Cameron Johnson, while the Nets would get center Jarrett Allen, guard Jaylon Tyson, and a lottery-protected 2031 first-round draft pick. This move aims to provide Cleveland with a versatile floor-spacing forward to complement their defense anchored by Evan Mobley.
Details of the Proposed Trade Between Cleveland and Brooklyn
According to Hughes, this trade offering would give the Cavaliers a player capable of stretching the defense, fitting well alongside Mobley’s five-out offensive sets. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets would gain a starting center in Allen, who is in his prime and could potentially be moved again in a future deal, with Tyson and a draft pick included to sweeten the offer.
Jarrett Allen has been a key defender for Cleveland, playing a crucial role alongside Mobley by providing rim protection and interior defense. However, the Cavaliers might benefit from adding a forward like Johnson, who offers scoring from multiple levels and floor spacing to diversify their offense. While Mobley can anchor the paint defensively, surrounding him with additional shooters could improve Cleveland’s overall efficiency.
One issue with the trade from Brooklyn’s perspective is their existing roster composition. The Nets already have center Nic Claxton, who has a skill set similar to Allen, raising questions about the necessity of acquiring another player with overlapping abilities.
Concerns About Jarrett Allen’s Physicality Raised by Former Player
Channing Frye, a former Cavaliers big man, expressed concerns about Jarrett Allen’s toughness, especially in playoff situations. On the Road Trippin’ podcast, Frye stated,
“It’s really been bothering me… Jarrett Allen is not a playoff big man,”
—Channing Frye, former Cavaliers player
He elaborated further, saying,
“That is my statement. He is not physically dominant. He is not physically aggressive… At some point, as the main dude – the biggest dude on your team – you’ve gotta f*** somebody up once in a while.”
—Channing Frye, former Cavaliers player
In nine playoff games during the most recent season, Allen averaged 13.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 72.1% from the field. Although he has delivered stronger postseason performances in previous years, his physical play occasionally appeared insufficient against tougher competition. Many observers believe that an offseason focused on strength training could help Allen enhance his presence and durability on the court.
Calls for Darius Garland to Improve Physical Strength for Higher Competition
Alongside concerns about Allen, Cavaliers executive Koby Altman highlighted guard Darius Garland’s need to gain strength to compete at elite levels. Speaking at a recent news conference, Altman commented,
“He (Garland) needs to get stronger so he can compete at the highest level,”
—Koby Altman, Cavaliers executive
Altman drew a parallel with the development of Stephen Curry, saying,
“It’s the same thing that [happened] with Stephen Curry. … Now, Steph is all-world. I’m not making that comparison. But Steph got stronger … over his years. He’s a different physical specimen than he was when he first started playing.”
—Koby Altman, Cavaliers executive
Darius Garland’s ability to handle physical play remains a concern, as he often struggles against strong screens or contact from defenders, which limits his effectiveness on defense and in transition. Strengthening his build is seen as essential for Garland to become a more complete, two-way player who can withstand the physical demands of playoff basketball without being targeted by opponents.
The Cavaliers face critical decisions regarding their roster makeup, with the Jarrett Allen trade proposal presenting an opportunity to shift toward a more versatile and potentially more competitive lineup. Whether Cleveland decides to move forward with this swap or focus on player development, the team’s attempts to build playoff resilience will be closely watched in the coming months.