A familiar theme for the Los Angeles Lakers is speculation around who the team can add at the center position. It appears the franchise is ready to turn the page on Jaxson Hayes, and there is no denying Alex Len was as negative an addition as possible. The Lakers need to think outside the box, and this could mean looking at potential trade options. At the top of this list should be current Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen.
Despite the Cavs coming off an incredible 2025 season, the team could be looking to make meaningful changes. The franchise lost to the Indiana Pacers, looking completely outgunned after appearing to be the best team in the Eastern Conference for the entire 2024-25 season. It appeared only the Celtics stood in the way of a deep Cleveland playoff run. However, how the playoffs panned out is exactly why the games are played and the league continues to grow.
Current Cleveland Center Jarrett Allen Would Be the Perfect Los Angeles Lakers Answer
A recent report has stated the franchise is "more open" to trading Allen than in recent years. Perhaps this is all the Lakers need to begin negotiating and give the Cavs a reason to turn the page. Rim protection isn't a huge concern for the defensive-minded Cavs, who can also put Evan Mobley into a larger role if they opt to move on from Allen.
For the Lakers, the move is a straightforward chance ot improve your defense and offer Luka a consistent threat at the rim. To say Allen would be a massive upgrade over Jaxson Hayes would be an incredible understatement. For a Lakers team desperate for any level of production, Hayes became quickly unplayable in the playoff series against Minnesota.
It was the final sign the team had to approach this offseason with a heavy level of desperation. If Luka and LeBron James are going to make a deep playoff run, it must be in the 2025-26 season. As LeBron's future remains in question, there must be an added sense of urgency from the franchise. One that would lend itself to the belief that Allen could indeed be heading ot Los Angeles at some point in the 2025 offseason.