Rumors: Cavaliers star center receiving trade interest; are the Mavericks involved?

The Dallas Mavericks are 16-10 and fifth in the Western Conference heading into Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Dallas is winning tough games despite a slew of injuries, but the Mavericks need Dereck Lively II back soon, as he has been crucial to this team this season.

The Mavericks are clearly much better when Lively II is on the court, as they are 0-3 when he is not. When Lively II is out, this team lacks frontcourt defense, and they could look to the trade market to bolster their frontcourt.

Rumors: Cavaliers star center receiving trade interest, are Mavericks involved?

Dallas has already been linked to a trade for Isaiah Stewart, and another Eastern Conference power forward could be on the way.

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen has “drawn plenty of interest from playoff contenders.” The only team Fischer mentioned was the Pelicans, but Dallas would be no surprise given their obvious need for another rim protector.

Dallas has been linked to a trade for Allen as recently as this summer, and adding him to this team would take it to the next level.

Allen is averaging 12.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game for the Cavs this season, while shooting 67.2 percent from the field. He is a fearless rim protector and an excellent lob threat, making him an ideal fit in Dallas.

Lively II has thrived as a rim runner and defensive anchor, and adding another player who can do the same in Allen could do wonders for this team. A potential trade for Allen would allow Dallas to always have a great rim protector on the floor while also providing Lively II with a great example to follow.

Getting Allen may be difficult, as he has two more seasons on his contract after this one, and the Cavs don’t appear to be pushing to trade him just yet.

He’d be an excellent fit in Dallas, but we’ll have to wait and see if the Mavericks show any interest in him before the deadline.

In other news, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks provides an exciting update on his future in Dallas.