Here are three trade scenarios the Nets should explore for Jarrett Allen.
As the Brooklyn Nets’ makeshift roster prepares to finish the remainder of the current campaign in Orlando, most of the franchise is undoubtedly looking forward to the 2020-21 season, when superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will (presumably) be fully healthy and ready to lead them to a championship.
Though most of Brooklyn’s core is expected to return, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the team undergoes some roster turnover during the shortened offseason.
ESPN insider Tim Bontemps reported a few months ago that some NBA executives believe the Nets will make a few players — including Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen and Spencer Dinwiddie — available in trade talks.
Let’s also not forget that Irving hinted at the possibility of Brooklyn reworking its roster after claiming that the team wasn’t good enough following a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in mid-January.
While general manager Sean Marks won’t make any rash decisions based on Irving’s criticism, he will obviously do whatever it takes to put Brooklyn in the best position to capture a title, and that could involve unloading one of those three players.
For the sake of this conversation, let’s attempt to brainstorm three potential trade scenarios that the Nets could explore for Allen, who struggled to find consistent playing time after Kenny Atkinson was fired.
3. Allen for Richaun Holmes and a Second-Round Pick
The Nets should call the Kings about a Jarrett Allen trade.
The Sacramento Kings are pretty loaded in the frontcourt as they currently roster the likes of Richaun Holmes, Marvin Bagley, Nemanja Bjelica and Harry Giles. The former enjoyed a breakout season this year, posting 12.8 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 65.4% from the floor.
Unfortunately for Holmes, he will turn 27 in October, which tells us that he’s likely a few years too old to feature in the Kings rebuilding plans. Ideally, the former second-round pick would be closer to the ages of point guard De’Aaron Fox (22) and fellow big man Bagley (21), both of whom were taken in the top five of the first round in recent drafts.
That’s why Allen, who is a few months removed from turning 22, could be viewed as a seamless fit in Sacramento. A frontcourt of Bagley and Allen would have the Kings perfectly set up to compete in the West within a year or two.
As for the Nets, they would acquire a player in Holmes who does all of the little things right and would serve as a perfect complement to the aging DeAndre Jordan. In addition, they would obtain a second-round pick that could be flipped in another trade that could help further boost their championship aspirations.