The Cleveland Cavaliers could be presented with an opportunity to trade center Jarrett Allen if USC’s Evan Mobley falls to them in the 2021 NBA Draft.
The Cavaliers have the No. 3 overall pick in the NBA Draft. That should afford them the chance to draft one of Mobley, Gonzaga star guard Jalen Suggs or G League Ignite standout Jalen Green.
Terry Pluto and Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer hypothesized the Cavaliers could look to trade Allen if Mobley were to fall to them in the NBA Draft. The rationale is Cleveland would orchestrate a sign-and-trade, being that Allen is a restricted free agent:
“I had this discussion with Chris Fedor, cleveland.com’s superb basketball writer,” Pluto said regarding what the Cavaliers do if they select Mobley at No. 3 overall. “He quickly said, ‘Sign-and-trade.'”
Fedor has reported Allen could receive over $100 million over the course of five years. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are still a bit handicapped by salary-cap issues due to Kevin Love’s contract.
Mobley and Allen are very similar talents. Perhaps the Cavaliers try to dangle Allen in order to get veteran talent if they keep the pick and call Mobley’s name.
Then again, there is no telling the Cavaliers keep the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (h/t Ben Axelrod of WKYC) reported Cleveland might look to trade the pick for a veteran star to speed up the rebuild.
The NBA Draft tends to lead to a plethora of surprises both in the buildup and aftermath. The Cavs might have one of their own in store if Mobley falls to No. 3.