Report: Pelicans Tried To Trade For All-Star Center This Summer

While the New Orleans Pelicans have a solid offensive center already on their roster in Jonas Valanciunas, he's on the trade block as they've gone looking to beef up their five-spot this summer with some elite defense. 

Word from William Guillory of The Athletic is that the Pels made a push to trade for All-Star center Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers.  

The Pels made a bunch of calls around the league to see what other options were out there. As we’ve discussed previously, Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen has been linked with New Orleans quite a bit this summer. But there seems to be little traction for a deal between New Orleans and Cleveland at this time.

As Guillory notes, it doesn't appear that the Pels were successful in trying to pry one of Cleveland's top players away. 

While Valanciunas is one of the toughest players in the league to move out of the post, and has averaged 15.9 points and 10.8 boards in his two years in The Big Easy, his defense often lands him on the bench down the stretch of critical moments in games. 

Allen, on the other hand, is one of the league's top rim protectors and defenders. According to Fear The Sword, he forced opponents to shoot 9% worse on FG than their average. That was tied for 6th best in the NBA. 

As for JV, he'll continue to be on the trade block, says Guillory. 

The Pels will explore what a Valančiūnas + Kira Lewis + draft pick package can get them in the next few months. I’d predict some type of deal will be done before the trade deadline to beef up the frontcourt.

This will be something to watch out of New Orleans this season.  

Photo: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports