NBA Trade Rumors: Jarrett Allen Heads to Lakers in Proposed 3-Team Blockbuster

A lot of talk in the coming offseason is about what the Los Angeles Lakers will do to fill their gaping hole in the middle. Since dealing off Anthony Davis in the stunning deal to get superstar Luka Doncic, the center spot has been a problem in L.A.

So many names around the NBA have been linked as candidates for the Lakers to go after, from a young up-and-comer, to big, splashy names. But wouldn't they love to get their hands on rim-protecting defensive big man Jarrett Allen out of Cleveland?

Jackson Caudell of si.com (h/t fadeawayworld.net) has proposed a wild three-team blockbuster that would see the Cavaliers' 7-footer land in Hollywood. It would look like this:

LA Lakers Receive:

Jarrett Allen (from Cleveland)
Terance Mann (from Atlanta)
Isaac Okoro (from Cleveland)
Georges Niang (from Atlanta)
2027 2nd round pick (from ATL, via CLE)
2029 2nd round pick (from ATL, via CLE)

Cleveland Cavaliers Receive:

Rui Hachimura (from LAL)
Dalton Knecht (from LAL)
Shake Milton (from LAL)
Maxi Kleber (from LAL)
2030 1st round pick swap (via LAL)
2030 2nd round pick (via ATL)
Unprotected 2031 1st round pick (via LAL)
2031 2nd round pick (via ATL)
2031 2nd round pick (via ATL, CLE's own pick)

Atlanta Hawks Receive:

Jarred Vanderbilt (from LAL)
Max Strus (from Cleveland)

For the Lakers, they get the big man in the middle they so desperately need, plugging a huge defensive hole left by the exit of AD. He can also, as Caudell notes, be a rim-runner that would be "a picture-perfect fit beside Doncic and (LeBron) James". They also bring in some wings who can help on defense and spread the floor. Niang has shot over 40% from three-point land in six of his seven full NBA seasons.

But the best part for the Lakers? They wouldn't have to part with Austin Reaves, who they so desperately want to hang onto.

The Cavaliers are in dire need of cap relief. They'll be over the second apron with their current roster of stars, leaving them to face harsh restrictions on trades, free agency, and draft pick selection, which, in turn, will make it harder for them to build their roster into the future. They'd get off of Allen's $20M salary this coming season, and his three-year, $90M extension that kicks in the year after.

While Knecht has yet to find his niche in the NBA after only one season, he could get a chance to grow in Cleveland. Hachimura is already a solid power forward and could slide in at the four while Evan Mobley moves to the five.

As for the Hawks, they get two rotation regulars, with Vanderbilt providing strong defense and Strus opening up the floor with his outside shooting to let Trae Young and the burgeoning Jalen Johnson do their thing.

There's a lot of draft capital changing hands as well, far down the line, into the next decade.

It's an ambitious proposal, but an intriguing one.