Amid all the activity in the offseason, some teams have come out on top while others have been less fortunate. Although several teams will be satisfied with the moves they have made this summer, none may be as pleased with their front office’s activities as the Charlotte Hornets.
From acquiring an elite big man in Naz Reid to adding veteran wings like Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale, the Hornets have made away like bandits this offseason. However, when considering that their goal is to establish themselves as a playoff contender in the East, it can be argued that some upgrades are necessary.
On that note, NBA insider Jake Weinbach floated an interesting idea that would help Charlotte bolster its frontcourt, potentially adding a partner next to Naz Reid. He wrote:
“The Hornets would be a viable landing spot for Jarrett Allen if the Cavs decide to move the rim-protecting center this offseason. Charlotte has an abundance of assets and tax space to emerge as a realistic suitor for Allen, while Cleveland is reportedly open to exploring trades.”
Cleveland Cavaliers big man Jarrett Allen has been a pivotal figure in the Cavs’ frontcourt rotation. While it would seem unreasonable for Cleveland to part with Allen, given the rumors mentioning him in trade packages for LeBron James, there may be some inclination from Cleveland to engage in negotiations.
For the Hornets, acquiring a center like Jarrett Allen would be a complete game-changer. Hence, here is a trade package that could help facilitate this move.
Proposed Trade Details
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Jarrett Allen
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Grant Williams, Moussa Diabate, 2029 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick (NOP/POR)
The Financial Outlook
Financially, this trade proposal is geared to help the Cleveland Cavaliers gain some cap flexibility. For Jarrett Allen’s outgoing $28 million contract, the Cavs would be absorbing Grant Williams‘ $14.2 million contract and Moussa Diabate’s $2.4 million contract. With a combined $16.6 million in expiring deals being acquired in this scenario, the Cavs would essentially gain a $11.4 million trade exception.
On the Hornets’ side, the surplus of $11.4 million in incoming salary from Allen’s contract isn’t much of a complication. With a total payroll of $174 million, the Hornets have more than enough cap space to absorb Allen’s contract. When considering that they also possess a $40.7 million trade exception from the LaMelo Ball trade, Charlotte could easily absorb Allen’s contract using a portion of that.
Overall, this deal is financially feasible for both teams. With the trade also setting Cleveland up for more moves in the future, the Cavs may view this favorably.
How Does This Trade Impact The Cavs?
Although this isn’t a blockbuster trade by any means, the implications of this move are significant for both teams.
For the Cavaliers, parting with Jarrett Allen may leave them thin in the frontcourt, effectively forcing Evan Mobley to play more minutes at the 5. However, with the addition of Grant Williams and Moussa Diabate, the Cavs would still have some depth in the bench rotation.
Williams has proven himself capable as a three-and-D player. In 36 appearances last season, the forward averaged 7.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, and 0.5 assists per game while shooting 42.6% from the field and 38.8% from three-point range. Given his experience with playing the 5 in small-ball lineups, Williams adds veteran leadership and versatility to the team.
In contrast to Williams, Moussa Diabate brings youth and athleticism to the table. After a breakout season with the Hornets, Diabate has shown potential as a rim-running big man with defensive upside. Having averaged 7.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game last season, he could be a valuable addition to the Cavs’ rotation.
Although the addition of Williams and Diabate is noteworthy, the Cavs will benefit more from the cap flexibility they gain from this deal.
With Cleveland emerging as a suitor for LeBron James this summer, having enough cap space to re-sign James Harden and offer James a promising deal is a priority. Thus, by trading Jarrett Allen, the Cavs could improve their chances of landing James, and potentially also acquire Draymond Green in the process.
How Does Jarrett Allen’s Addition Affect The Hornets?
After the season he had, parting with Moussa Diabate may be a challenge. But considering that his role was bound to be reduced after Naz Reid’s addition, the Hornets could view this move as a means of doubling down and being more ambitious.
Jarrett Allen’s addition would effectively transform Charlotte’s rotation. On a team that would have seen Reid starting at the 5, the Hornets could boast a big man duo of Reid and Allen in the starting lineup. This would give them a solid interior presence while also allowing Reid to operate as a floor-spacer with his versatility.
Allen’s biggest upside is undoubtedly his rim protection ability. As an athletic big man with tremendous defensive instincts, Allen’s addition would be vital in solidifying the Hornets’ presence in the paint. Given that he averaged 15.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game in the regular season, the 28-year-old could be ideal for the Hornets as they prepare to mount a playoff push.
With LaMelo Ball out of the rotation, the lack of an elite playmaker may reduce Allen’s involvement offensively. But considering the influence he could have in starting fast breaks, the Hornets could become an exciting team to watch in transition.
Should The Hornets Pursue Jarrett Allen?
For all intents and purposes, the Hornets have an amazing core in place. With Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller effectively taking over as the franchise cornerstones, Charlotte has done a splendid job of surrounding their star players with talent.
Their inspiring run from the start of the 2026 calendar year showed the Hornets’ ability to compete with some of the best teams in the league. From that perspective, it can be argued that moving a vital piece like Diabate could be counterintuitive.
Conversely, however, since Ball is out of the picture and there has been an influx of new talent, Charlotte may find itself on the verge of entering a new era. With many noteworthy new additions to the roster, the Hornets will need some time to build chemistry again. Thus, adding a player like Jarrett Allen, who also brings veteran leadership, would not be detrimental in the slightest.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to which direction the Hornets’ front office intends to take. If developing and nurturing the current roster is prioritized, then trading for a player like Jarrett Allen makes no sense. Alternatively, if becoming a contender right away is given more priority, pursuing an impactful big man like Allen may be more appealing.
