The Indiana Pacers are staring down the trade deadline with a clear need and a shrinking window. After losing Myles Turner in the offseason, Indiana’s frontcourt has been in flux-and the results show it.
At 13-38, buried near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and ranked 22nd in rebounding, the Pacers are struggling to hold their ground in the paint. That’s why Jarrett Allen’s name keeps coming up-and why it makes sense.
According to multiple league sources, Indiana has reached out to the Cleveland Cavaliers about the veteran center. Allen, a proven interior presence, checks a lot of boxes for a Pacers team that’s lacked stability up front.
He’s averaging 14.0 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting over 60 percent from the floor-numbers that speak to both efficiency and consistency. On a roster that’s been searching for structure, especially without Tyrese Haliburton in the lineup, Allen represents more than just a stopgap.
He’s a foundational piece.
The Pacers' defensive issues have been glaring. Without a true anchor in the middle, opponents are feasting in the lane, and Indiana’s young perimeter players are often left exposed.
A player like Allen doesn’t just plug holes-he changes the way a team defends, communicates, and competes. His ability to control the glass and protect the rim could instantly elevate Indiana’s defensive ceiling and give the team a much-needed identity on that end.
But Indiana isn’t the only team working the phones. Reports indicate that Chicago and New Orleans have expressed interest in Bennedict Mathurin, suggesting that the Pacers are fielding multiple conversations as the deadline approaches. Still, their focus on acquiring a center remains sharp, and Allen continues to sit at the top of that list.
For Cleveland, the calculus is different. After swinging a blockbuster deal for James Harden, the Cavaliers are recalibrating.
They’re not in teardown mode, but they are weighing their options. Jarrett Allen is still a valuable asset-his rim protection and rebounding are elite, and he’s a known commodity in a league that values consistency.
But with a reshaped roster and shifting priorities, the Cavs may be more open to moving him if the return helps them balance the books and the bench.
This is the kind of deal that could define the direction of both franchises. For Indiana, it’s about finding a stabilizing force-someone who can help them compete now and grow with their young core.
For Cleveland, it’s about flexibility and long-term vision. Jarrett Allen isn’t just a name on the trade block; he’s a potential pivot point in two very different team stories.
With the trade deadline looming, the pressure is mounting. Indiana needs presence.
Cleveland needs options. And somewhere in the middle, a deal could be brewing that reshapes the future for both.