Cavs' Jarrett Allen on Trade Radar

Teams are quietly "monitoring" Cleveland’s start to the season to see whether Jarrett Allen might be shopped, a sign that rival GMs value his rim protection and efficiency — he shot an NBA-high 70.6% last year while averaging 13.5 points and 9.7 rebounds and starting all 82 games. That matters because moving Allen would reshape the Cavs’ frontcourt and the Eastern Conference pecking order, yet Cleveland just gave him a three-year extension and remains a title contender after a 64-win season. Merlin sees tension in the pairing: Evan Mobley’s long-term future looks like center, but Allen’s durability and shot-blocking are rare currency. If the Cavs stumble and the fit feels awkward, phone lines will light up; if they hum, the rumors vanish like smoke.