After Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman made a defiant statement on potential trades during the offseason, he made an interesting take by comparing Cavs center Jarrett Allen to Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner. The eight-year veteran is a vital piece on both ends of the floor for Cleveland. However, his name will be mentioned in trade rumors with no traction, such as Turner being thrown into deals that never materialize.
Turner has spent his entire ten-year career with the Pacers. Altman mentioned Myles as an example of Allen’s importance to the Cavs’ future, per NBA insider Sam Amico.
“Jarrett Allen remains incredibly important to us. Think about Myles Turner. Always in trade rumors. And now Myles Turner is in an intricate part of what Pacers are doing,” Altman said. “Incredible example of sticking with a guy and he’s now a huge part of their success.”
Turner and the Pacers eliminated the Cavs in a 114-105 victory in Game 5 to complete their series 4-1. Myles averaged 16.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks throughout the Eastern Conference semifinal series. Allen, 27, posted similar averages with 12.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game in his fifth season with the Cavs.
Koby Altman suggests no big trades for the Cavs
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Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman isn’t looking to blow up the team after a second-round exit against the Pacers. During his exit interview with the media, Altman let it be known that he still believes in his roster and its championship aspirations, per Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico.
“We’re not gonna go anywhere,” Altman said. “We’re gonna keep fighting for that championship. The window is wide open, we believe… I love our foundation, I love our core.”
Altman added that the second apron’s tax penalties will not change his mind about sticking with the core he has in place.
“Yes,” Altman replied when asked if he’s willing to head into the second apron. “If we need to go there… We like where we are from a roster standpoint,” Altman said, while also noting that “there’s a level of mental toughness we need to get to.”
Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen are all signed through 2027-28, the final season of Mitchell’s deal, a player option worth $53.8 million. Altman’s dedicated to his team’s core players, tethered to a group he believes is talented enough to win a championship while on the cusp of reaching its potential soon.
