I imagine Allen ending up with Knicks wouldn't be Cleveland's smartest move, but would the return on this trade proposal justify it?
In the hypothetical case that Memphis were to make an offer for Jarrett Allen, we know that it wouldn't be for personal use with Edey on their team, but rather they would try to offer him to Knicks to facilitate access to the type of center they would be looking for in a KAT trade.
Knowing this possible scenario, I have tried to optimize the return on assets for Cleveland so that this consequence (Allen's arrival in NY) is not so serious in relation to the Cavs' objectives.
TRADE #1 Details
MEM: 2029 CHA 1st (via UTA, CLE or MIN)
CHA: 2027 MEM 1st, 2029 MEM 2nd (via POR), 2032 MEM 2nd
TRADE #2 Details
CLE: Santi Aldama, 2029 CHA 1st (via UTA, CLE or MIN), 2031 MEM 1st, 2030 NYK 1st (swap)
NYK: Jarrett Allen, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Clarke, 2030 MEM 1st (via ORL)
MEM: Karl-Anthony Towns, Guerschon Yabusele, Jordan Clarkson
TRADE #3 Details
CLE: Rui Hachimura, Ryan Kalkbrenner
LAL: De'Andre Hunter, John Konchar, GG Jackson
MEM: Dalton Knecht, Maxi Kleber
CHA: Jock Landale, 2030 LAL 1st (swap), 2027 CLE 2nd (via DEN), 2028 CLE 2nd
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TRADE #1 Justification
MEM: Grizzlies secured a valuable first-round draft pick for Cleveland's interests, in order to make a trade for Allen and thus acquire KAT for their team.
CHA: Hornets receive a 2027 first-round pick, optimizing their options to select a high-potential prospect, and even potentially moving up in the draft using Charlotte's other first-round first-round picks that year.
TRADE #2 Justification
CLE: Jarrett's departure means Mobley will now occupy the center position full-time. Therefore, along with the first-round draft picks, the arrival of Santi Aldama will fill the power forward position, providing height, rebounding ability, and a three-point shot.
NYK: KAT's departure is motivated by the attempt to reinforce the team's interior defense, which in the last month was the second worst in the entire NBA. To solve this, they acquire Allen from a direct rival in the Eastern Conference, with the advantage of being able to play pick & roll efficiently alongside Jalen Brunson at last, a resource that the Knicks could not take advantage of with KAT.
MEM: Grizzlies made a concerted effort to secure Allen in the deal because the Knicks weren't confident in Edey's health, despite his potential. The fact that they are providing a valuable asset from a rival franchise to NY facilitates the understanding with Knicks to acquire KAT, the piece they were looking for in the center position alongside JJJ.
TRADE #3 Justification
CLE: The trade of Allen or Hunter had to serve to obtain a useful expiring contract for the playoffs, and this is the case by sending De'Andre Hunter to Lakers, in exchange for Rui to improve the percentage of three-pointers made from the corner and a backup center like Ryan Kalkbrenner, who is expected to end his streak of shoulder problems.
LAL: De'Andre Hunter is one of the Lakers' targets to reinforce the SF position, and in this proposal they get him directly for Rui and facilitate the arrival of Ryan Kalkbrenner by providing a first-round swap.
MEM: Grizzlies are looking to use Kleber's expiring contract to sign Quentin Grimes in free agency. At the same time, they're acquiring Dalton Knecht on a rookie contract, hoping a change of scenery will improve his performance, or at least bring him closer to his level before last year's trade deadline.
CHA: With the draft picks Charlotte has received, they are expected to select one of the best power forwards in the upcoming draft, with the possibility of also selecting a center in the same draft, using some of the multiple first-round picks Charlotte has available for 2027.
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STARTING FIVE
CHA:
PG: LaMelo Ball
SG: Brandon Miller
SF: Kon Knueppel
PF: Miles Bridges
C: Jock Landale / Moussa DiabatΓ©
LAL:
PG: Luka DonΔiΔ
SG: Austin Reaves
SF: De'Andre Hunter
PF: LeBron James
C: DeAndre Ayton
MEM:
PG: Ja Morant
SG: Cedric Coward
SF: Jaylen Wells
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
C: Karl-Anthony Towns
NYK:
PG: Jalen Brunson
SG: Mikal Bridges
SF: Josh Hart
PF: OG Anunoby
C: Jarrett Allen
CLE:
PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Jaylon Tyson
PF: Santi Aldama
C: Evan Mobley