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.
2. Allen and a Second-Rounder for Andre Drummond
The Cavaliers could be interested in getting a young stud and shedding salary.
Listen, if the Cleveland Cavaliers were able to acquire Andre Drummond from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Brandon Knight, John Henson and a 2023 second-round pick, the Nets shouldn’t have trouble unloading Allen and a second-rounder for the stat-stuffing big man.
Drummond obviously doesn’t fit with Cleveland’s evident rebuilding plans, and that was further confirmed when he was playing limited minutes following the trade just before the season was suspended. That’s why Allen, who’s a certified rim protector and overall defensive juggernaut, fits perfectly with the Cavaliers’ future core.
The two-time All-Star won’t be happy playing on a team that’s looking to tank to land a lottery pick, so the Nets should absolutely get Cavs GM Koby Altman on the phone. Drummond’s imposing presence in the paint could be what morphs Brooklyn into the undisputed championship favorite next season.
1. Allen for Clint Capela
The Atlanta Hawks could be in the same boat as the Cavs in terms of a Jarrett Allen trade.
The Houston Rockets’ shocking commitment to small ball was made official when they unloaded star center Clint Capela to the Atlanta Hawks at this season’s deadline. While the former No. 25 overall pick is only 26 years old, he doesn’t exactly fit into Atlanta’s rebuild project.
That’s where Allen, 22, comes in as a perfect trade piece as he could be viewed as the Hawks’ center of the future. The prospect of him running the pick and roll with Trae Young alone should almost be enough to persuade Atlanta’s front office to agree to the trade.
As for the Nets’ return, Capela would likely assume the role that he excelled in with Houston, where he was asked to finish at the rim, create second-chance opportunities, and protect the paint. The five-year veteran’s offensive game is nowhere near polished, but he wouldn’t need to do much scoring on a Brooklyn team that has plenty of weapons on that end of the floor.
Seriously, who says no to this deal?