NBA Trade Rumors: Pacers Land Jarrett Allen in Blockbuster Proposal

The Indiana Pacers lost a huge part of their team when Myles Turner shockingly left them in free agency after two exciting Finals runs, and went to the Milwaukee Bucks this summer.

Now, in addition to having to play this season without superstar point guard Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles surgery), they have a huge void at center. Currently, 23-year-old Isaiah Jackson is slotted in as the starting 'five'.

Jackson has never averaged more than 16 minutes a night in his four NBA seasons. He only played five games last year with the Pacers, also due to a torn Achilles. Nobody knows how he'll fare in his return to the court. But if Wednesday's exhibition game is any indication, it's going to be a problem. He picked up three fouls in the first three minutes, and went 0-for-2, finishing with two points in nine minutes. Jay Huff, who's never been mistaken for a starting center in this league either, is the backup.

Wouldn't a defensive beast like Jarrett Allen be a nice addition to this Pacers' lineup? Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report has proposed the following trade:

Pacers receive:

Jarrett Allen

Cleveland Cavaliers receive:

Obi Toppin
Ben Sheppard
top-five protected 2029 first-round pick

For the Pacers, Allen would obviously fill a huge need in the middle. He starts a three-year extension next season, so he's locked in for some time, even after Haliburton gets back next season.

Why would the Cavs make a deal like this, you ask? Good question.

One reason could be a desire to hand the middle over to Evan Mobley on a full-time basis. Even a more elite defender, the ever-improving Mobley was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year last season.

And in return for Allen, the Cavs "could deploy more shooting in a lineup that already includes Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland," writes Bailey. "It could also be a bit more switchable on defense with players like De'Andre Hunter and Obi Toppin playing the 4 and Ben Sheppard playing on the wing."

Cleveland fans are likely saying "no thanks" to this offer, as they are in serious Win-Now Mode, and giving up a rim-protector and rebounder like Allen at this point for a nice first-rounder a few years down the line doesn't make a lot of sense.

If you're asking us 'Who says no?', we say it's Cleveland.