Jarrett Allen Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Central Notes: Allen, Stewart, Bucks, Antetokounmpo

March 8th, 2025 at 11:59am CST by Tristan Tucker

The midseason arrival of De’Andre Hunter to the Cavaliers altered center Jarrett Allen‘s role, but he has no problem with taking a step back for the greater good, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes. As Fedor observes, heading into Friday’s game against Charlotte, Allen wasn’t a part of recent closing lineups, with Hunter joining the other four starters.

“It’s not really difficult for me,” Allen said. “I trust Kenny [Atkinson] wholeheartedly. Sometimes I wish I was out there. Sometimes I understand why I’m not. At the end of the day, it’s not my job to decide. It’s my job to do the best I can whenever my number is called.”

That closing lineup changed a little in a close game with the Hornets on Friday, with the team in need of rim protection. Allen took over a closing role in place of Max Strus.

“They know they’ve got to earn it,” Atkinson said. “There’s earning it and then there’s matchups. We’ve had a discussion with the whole team. Whether it’s you’re in the rotation or not in the rotation, you might deserve to be in a rotation but you’re still not in the rotation because we’re so deep. You might finish the game, you might not. That’s just kind of how it is. That’s what it takes to get to that next level. That’s part of the sacrifice and chemistry thing we’ve got going on.”

Allen said he’s willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win and is drawing tremendous reviews from his teammates for his consistency, confidence and leadership.

We have more from the Central Division:

Appearing on ESPN’s NBA Today (Twitter video link), Pistons center Jalen Duren complimented fellow big man Isaiah Stewart, arguing that his teammate deserves more recognition and should be on an All-Defensive team at the end of the season. Just one year after winning only 14 games, Detroit is in prime playoff position and is just two games back of the fourth-place Bucks. Over an impressive month-long stretch that has seen them win 10 of their past 12 games, the Pistons are allowing fewer points per possession than any other team, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic. Katz agrees with Duren’s sentiment that Stewart, averaging 1.4 blocks per game, should get an All-Defensive nod. Stewart is holding opponents a 46% shooting percentage on dunk and layup attempts, which is the best such number in the league in the last five years, Katz notes.
The Bucks have demonstrated a willingness to build around the duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard and their deadline moves are paying off, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “Hopefully, I think that it’s more about, ‘How do we make the top two guys their best selves?’” general manager Jon Horst said. “And, ‘How does everyone else play their role around them?’” The Bucks brought in Kyle Kuzma (15.2 PPG) and Kevin Porter Jr. (9.2 PPG), along with Jericho Sims (4.6 RPG) at the deadline.
Antetokounmpo became the sixth-youngest player to reach 20,000 career points on Wednesday, Jamal Collier of ESPN observes. “I always look back at myself, and I don’t want to say I get emotional, but it’s a good feeling,” the Bucks star said. “I’m proud of the journey, but I have so much more to give.“

Cavs Notes: Garland, Mitchell, Allen, Celtics Win

March 1st, 2025 at 9:39am CST by Tristan Tucker

Despite some speculation that the Cavaliers and Darius Garland might separate after the team’s second-round loss to the Celtics in the playoffs last season, that was never under serious consideration for either side, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.

“It crossed my mind. Like just literally crossed it for like five seconds,” Garland said. “But I really love this group, man. It’s like a real brotherhood. We’ve been together for three years now, four years now, and I really want to win here. I think this group has the opportunity to do something special and bring a championship back to Cleveland. And that’s what I want to do.”

After remaining in Cleveland, Garland is having a career year for the East-best Cavaliers, averaging 21.3 points and 6.7 assists per game while shooting career highs of 49.1% from the field and 42.3% from three. It certainly helped that new head coach Kenny Atkinson met with Garland after being hired and discussed what his role could look like.

“He wanted to get back to an All-Star level and that was our job to help him get back there,” general manager Koby Altman said. “It was our job to help him with the staff that was going to empower him again. But never once did Darius ever ask out, never once did Darius have an issue with Donovan (Mitchell), and never once did he have an issue with the organization. His issue was, like, how do I get back? I know I’m one of the best players in the league, one of the best guards in the league. How do I get back?”

After last year’s playoffs, Garland’s goal for the offseason was building out his physique and becoming a more physical player, according to MacMahon.

“In an era or day and age where so many kids push for different things to happen, to get a new start, he put his head down and grinded every single day this summer to come back and be prepared for what was coming forward,” former Cavs and current Hawks forward Georges Niang said. “I’m happy for him because he deserves it.”

We have more from the Cavaliers:

Mitchell recognized that in order for the Cavaliers to become true contenders, Garland would need to have the ball in his hands more often, MacMahon writes in the same story. Mitchell’s numbers have dipped this season and Garland credits the former Louisville guard for setting the cultural tone in Cleveland. “It’s one thing to be great talents, but it’s another thing to be great dudes,” Garland’s agent Rich Paul said. “When you got two ball-dominant players, they have to get a rhythm. In any relationship it takes the effort, no matter if it’s personal or business. It takes the effort to stay consistently successful. Those two guys have come out, checked their egos at the door and it’s really shown that, ‘Hey, this thing could work now.’“
In addition to rumors circulating about the Cavs’ backcourt, there was talk during the 2024 offseason regarding the fit between Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley in the frontcourt. In an interview with Andscape’s Marc J. Spears, Allen said he understood the nature of the business and the talk that comes with it, but he was happy to not have been traded out of Cleveland. “I really mesh well with these guys,” Allen said. “It’s just a good group to be around.”
The Cavaliers split the season series against the Celtics 2-2 after an impressive come-from-behind win over Boston on Friday. As Joe Vardon of The Athletic notes, the Celtics took a 25-3 lead in the first quarter and could have easily run away with the game, but Cleveland ended the night with its biggest comeback in 11 years. Mitchell and Mobley’s contributions were key to getting the win. “The game rewards people when they stick with it,” Mobley said. “Just believe in myself, that’s the biggest thing. When you believe in yourself, you feel like you can do anything. Even with this slow start to the game, just believing in myself the entire game and eventually things started falling, and I think that’s the biggest factor in getting where you want to get to.“

Jarrett Allen Expected To Undergo MRI On Injured Hand

February 21st, 2025 at 11:15pm CST by Luke Adams

Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen suffered a right hand injury during the first half of Friday’s blowout win over New York, as Tom Withers of The Associated Press writes.

The injury didn’t force Allen to the sidelines immediately — he played a few minutes in the second half before exiting the game for good, finishing the night with 10 points and three rebounds in 20 minutes of action.

“X-rays were negative, so that’s good,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said after the victory. “I do think he’s going to get an MRI tomorrow. He came up to me during the game. He goes, ‘It’s really bothering me. I’m not going to be able to finish.’ But (it’s) good X-rays were negative.”

Allen told reporters that he may have injured the hand while trying to block a shot in the first quarter, but was otherwise reluctant to say much about it, according to Withers. Teammate Donovan Mitchell said the big man will be “fine.”

Allen has been available for each of the Cavaliers’ first 56 games this season. If he has to miss any time, frontcourt partner Evan Mobley would likely shift to center, opening up a forward spot in the starting five alongside Max Strus. De’Andre Hunter, Dean Wade, and Isaac Okoro would be the top candidates to fill that opening.

Trade Rumors: Bigs, Hornets, Raptors, Cavaliers

January 16th, 2025 at 3:28pm CST by Rory Maher

Of the four in-season trades already completed in 2024/25, two largely revolved around centers. More big men could be on the move prior to the February 6 trade deadline.

According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer (Substack link), the Jazz are “actively exploring the market” for forward/center John Collins. The same is true of the Wizards and Jonas Valanciunas, though a recent report stated that Washington wouldn’t simply ship him off to the highest bidder.

League sources also tell the authors that the Bulls have welcomed trade calls on Nikola Vucevic for “weeks.”

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype recently reported that the Warriors have checked in on all three of the aforementioned players.

Here are some more trade rumors from Stein and Fischer:

After trading Nick Richards to the Suns, head of basketball operations Jeff Peterson said the Hornets will continue to “listen to everything” in order to build a sustainable contender. Josh Green, Cody Martin and Vasilije Micic are among the other Hornets who could be on the trade block, according to Stein and Fischer, who report that Charlotte is open to discussing second-year guard Nick Smith Jr. as well.
Veteran swingman Bruce Brown has been viewed as a trade candidate since he was acquired by the Raptors last year, but he remains on Toronto’s roster for now. It’s possible his $23MM expiring contract — and the fact that he has missed most of the season while recovering from offseason knee surgery — has been a roadblock in trade talks, but that may not be true for Chris Boucher, whose $10.8MM expiring deal is described by Stein and Fischer as “very movable.”
The Cavaliers signed Jarrett Allen to a three-year, $91MM extension on August 2. The timing of that deal wasn’t a coincidence — Cleveland insisted on the agreement being finalized before Aug. 6, so Allen would be trade-eligible before the deadline (Feb. 2). However, the former All-Star center is (unsurprisingly) not available in trade talks, in part due to the team’s league-best record. Aside from Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, who are all off limits, the Cavs have been “listening to pitches” on other players but are “generally reluctant” to mess with the team’s chemistry, per Stein and Fischer.
“Good” second-round picks — selections that land in the early 30s — are believed to be at a premium in trade talks, in part due to the restrictions of the new tax aprons, Stein and Fischer add.

Cavaliers Notes: Thunder Matchup, Garland, Mitchell

January 10th, 2025 at 12:22pm CST by Rory Maher

Entering Wednesday’s matchup in Cleveland, the Thunder had won 15 consecutive games (not including the NBA Cup Final, which doesn’t count toward a team’s record season record), while the Cavaliers had won 10 straight. It was the first time in NBA history that two teams had faced off with such lengthy winning streaks on the line.

In a high-level affair that featured 30 lead changes and eight ties, the Cavaliers emerged victorious in the marquee showdown, firmly staking their claim as the league’s best team, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

“I don’t know where to rank them, but they have definitely earned their record,” Thunder forward Jalen Williams said. “You don’t get to 32-4 by accident.”

As Vardon writes, several players from both teams shined throughout the game, but Cleveland center Jarrett Allen may have had the top individual performance, notching 25 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block with no turnovers in 32 minutes. He shot 9-of-11 from the field and 7-of-10 from the free throw line.

On a night in which Donovan Mitchell uncharacteristically struggled, scoring just 11 points on 3-of-16 shooting, the Cavs received major contributions off the bench from Max Strus (17 points on 6-of-7 shooting) and Ty Jerome (15 points on 6-of-7 shooting), Vardon notes.

“I told everybody after the game, as a unit we don’t win this game last year,” Mitchell said. “Everybody that came in did something positive to affect the game. … That’s a team win. That’s what it’s going to take to be the team we want to be.”

Here’s more on the Cavs:

ESPN insiders Tim Bontemps, Kevin Pelton and Brian Windhorst share their takeaways from the matchup between Cleveland and Oklahoma City, which many observers have called the best game of the 2024/25 season. The two clubs will have a rematch in OKC next week (January 16).
After Wednesday’s victory, point guard Darius Garland said he should be an All-Star and that he’s not the only Cavalier who deserves that honor, tweets Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. “I’m trying to be humble as possible,” Garland said. “But … yeah, I should be an All-Star. Yes. There should be four of us on this team that are All-Stars.” While he didn’t state it outright, Garland was referring to himself, Mitchell, Allen and Evan Mobley, who was also terrific on Wednesday (21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists).
Garland backed up that statement by leading the Cavs to their 12th straight victory on Thursday vs. Toronto, pushing the team’s record to 33-4, Fedor writes for Cleveland.com (subscriber link). Mitchell sat out the second game of the back-to-back to rest. Garland, who turns 25 years old later this month, scored a season-high 40 points (on elite efficiency) while dishing out nine assists in the six-point win. Cleveland outscored Toronto by 18 points in his 36 minutes of action.

Central Notes: Mobley, Cavs, Bulls, Giannis, Pistons

January 7th, 2025 at 9:32am CST by Luke Adams

Fourth-year big man Evan Mobley is having the best season of his career for the 31-4 Cavaliers and making a strong case for All-Star consideration, as Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes in a subscriber-only article. The Cavs have an eye-popping +16.0 net rating when Mobley is on the court, compared to a team-worst +4.4 mark when he sits.

“He has taken that step,” Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell said of his teammate. “Everyone has been asking and he has taken that step. It’s beautiful to see. This is the worst that Evan is going to be and it’s not too shabby. He’s an All-Star. He will be in San Francisco in February.”

Speaking to Grant Afseth of RG.org, Cavaliers forward Georges Niang agreed with Mitchell’s assessment, comparing Mobley’s skill set to that of Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett. While Niang raved about Mobley’s evolution, he argued that there are actually four Cavaliers – Mitchell, Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen – who deserve to be at All-Star weekend in San Francisco.

“When are we going to celebrate winning? These guys sacrifice stats to help us win,” Niang told Afseth. “This isn’t an individual sport, but All-Star is an individual accolade. Donovan, Evan, Darius, and J.A. are All-Stars. Sharing the wealth and being team players doesn’t diminish what they’re capable of.”

In an interesting and wide-ranging conversation with Afseth, Niang also spoke about Mitchell’s commitment to Cleveland, making it clear that the five-time All-Star was exhibiting that commitment to the franchise well before he signed a multiyear extension during the 2024 offseason.

“Donovan is making this his home,” Niang said. “He even called Max (Strus) and me during (2023) free agency to bring us here. When your star player wants to be here and recruit others, it creates something special.”

Here’s more from around the Central:

Addressing the Bulls‘ potential trade deadline plans, head coach Billy Donovan reiterated on Monday that the front office is considering everything and that nothing appears imminent, per Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Donovan also shared one tenet of his current roster-building philosophy. “If we want to continue playing (a fast-paced style), you can’t have eight guys,” Donovan said. “There’s no way you can sustain playing that way, that fast. So instead of (focusing on adding) one guy or two guys, how do we build out where there’s 10 or 12 guys? (Then) if you lose a guy, you’re not taking this huge hit. That’s what I’ve shared with them in terms of what I’ve thought.”
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a laceration on his right pinky finger during Monday’s game, writes Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Head coach Doc Rivers told reporters after the game that the issue “definitely” seemed to be affecting Antetokounmpo’s ball-handling, but the two-time MVP stayed in the game and downplayed the issue after getting stitched up. “I’m fine,” he said. “My finger’s kind of numb but I’m fine. I played the second half but I’m fine. Just stitches. I’m not going to overthink about it.”
The two-way contracts that Ron Harper Jr. and Tolu Smith signed with the Pistons are both for two years, tweets Keith Smith of Spotrac. If they’re not waived or promoted before the end of their respective deals, Harper and Smith would be eligible for restricted free agency in 2026.

Central Notes: Allen, Cavs, Giannis, Buzelis

January 1st, 2025 at 8:43pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

As he watches he role with the Cavaliers change this season, center Jarrett Allen remains a key part of the best team in the league by record in 2024/25, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

Allen has ceded some touches and minutes to rising forward Evan Mobley this season, in an effort to help the All-Defensive Teamer take the next step in his own game. Fedor notes that Allen has occasionally even been on the bench late in games so Mobley can play center.

“Evan has been amazing this year,” Allen said. “I have always wanted to push him forward no matter what. Whether it’s taking the toughest assignment on defense so he can shine and have more energy on offense or just being in the dunker spot so he can have more room. Whatever I have to do to make him the best player, so he can unlock this offense and unlock this team, I’m willing to do it.”

Allen has seen his own numbers decline a little this season. After averaging a career-high 16.5 points per game last season, the 6’11” big man is averaging 13.7 PPG on an efficient 69.5% shooting from the floor, along with 10.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks per night.

“He is just willing to do what it takes to win, whatever that ask is and it could be different every night,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “He’s a huge cog. He is invaluable. When he plays at a top level, we are really hard to beat.”

There’s more out of the Central Division:

The Cavaliers’ 122-110 victory over the Lakers on Tuesday extended their win streak to eight games, observes Fedor in another Cleveland.com story. Each of those wins was by a double-digit margin. Cleveland is now 29-4 on the year, good for a 72-win pace. “We know it’s about playoff performance,” Atkinson said. “That’s what it comes down to. You don’t want to be that team that everyone says, ‘Oh, they’re a good regular season team.’” Lakers head coach JJ Redick had high praise for Cleveland after the loss dropped his team to an 18-14 record. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN (via Twitter), Redick believes clubs need to play “close to perfect basketball” to defeat the Cavaliers.
All-NBA forward Giannis Antetokounmpo gave the Bucks an instant spark upon returning to the team from a four-game absence, writes Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The two-time MVP helped his team rally out of a 19-point third quarter hole against Indiana, eventually resulting in a 27-point swing and a surprise 120-112 win. “We’re still a work in progress is what it says,” head coach Doc Rivers said of the comeback. “What [it] also says is having Giannis and Dame [All-Star point guard (Damian Lillard) on the floor allows you to close a lot better and that’s why we closed tonight.”
Though Bulls rookie forward Matas Buzelis was selected with the No. 11 pick in this past summer’s draft, he has been played sparingly by head coach Billy Donovan for much of his first pro season. Donovan recently reiterated that he is prioritizing more veteran players over Buzelis with an eye towards winning, per Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. “The balance between (Buzelis) and also the responsibility to try and make decisions that I feel are the best to put the team in position to win,” Donovan said. “This is not to be critical of Matas, but when there are things going on out there that he is not doing a good enough job on, I can’t just keep on keeping him out there. He’s got to have a level of responsibility.”

Pelicans Rumors: Ingram, Tax, Green, Missi, Health

December 6th, 2024 at 6:18pm CST by Luke Adams

Confirming a Michael Scotto report from earlier in the week, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) says Brandon Ingram spent the offseason seeking a maximum-salary contract extension (which could’ve been worth as much as $208MM over four seasons), while the Pelicans would have been comfortable with a deal more in the vicinity of $40MM per year.

Fischer also provides some details on the trade opportunities involving Ingram that the Pelicans explored over the summer, noting that the Kings initially had the forward on their radar before landing DeMar DeRozan and that the Cavaliers weren’t interested in a deal centered around Ingram and Jarrett Allen. While there were some talks with the Jazz, Fischer classifies those discussions as “preliminary,” suggesting Utah’s pursuit of Mikal Bridges got much further down the road.

A return to the Lakers has been mentioned by scouts as a possibility for Ingram, but Fischer says he’s been given no indication Los Angeles is seeking a reunion with their former No. 2 overall pick. The Lakers, according to Fischer, are more focused on adding more frontcourt depth and perimeter defense to their roster.

Given that there doesn’t appear – at this point, at least – to be a team eager to do a long-term, maximum-salary contract for Ingram, league sources expect the forward and his new reps at Klutch Sports to be open to lucrative shorter-term deals, Fischer writes, pointing to Fred VanVleet‘s three-year deal with Houston as an example. That contract is worth the max but features a third-year team option.

It’s still possible the Pelicans will be the team to work out a new agreement with Ingram, but there’s a ceiling on what they’re willing to pay him, Fischer adds.

Here’s more on the Pelicans:

Executives around the NBA talk about the Pelicans making a move to get out of luxury tax territory as if it’s an inevitability, per Fischer. The team is currently operating about $1.4MM above the tax line, so it might be as simple as shedding a minimum-salary contract at the deadline, though a deal involving Ingram could also potentially get New Orleans out of the tax.
Fischer doesn’t expect New Orleans to make a head coaching change anytime soon, despite some speculation around the NBA about Willie Green‘s job security. “Ownership is loyal to their people,” a New Orleans figure tells Fischer.
People within the Pelicans organization have raved about how quickly rookie center Yves Missi is learning and progressing, according to Fischer, who compares it to the way that people in Dallas were talking about Dereck Lively last season. Nonetheless, Fischer has heard New Orleans remains in the market for frontcourt depth.
Although Zion Williamson, Jose Alvarado, and Jordan Hawkins remain on the injured list, the Pelicans were as healthy as they’ve been since opening night on Thursday, with Ingram, Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones, and Trey Murphy all active together for the first time. The result – a hard-fought 126-124 win over Phoenix – was an encouraging one, as William Guillory of The Athletic writes. The Pelicans are still just 5-18, but Thursday’s game provided a glimpse of what the team thought it could be, with the first-time starting lineup of Ingram, Murray, McCollum, Jones, and Missi outscoring the Suns by 14 points in 11 minutes of action.

Cavaliers Notes: 15-0 Start, Jerome, Defense, Atkinson

November 18th, 2024 at 4:11pm CST by Rory Maher

The Cavaliers joined illustrious company after defeating Charlotte on Sunday, becoming just the fourth team in NBA history to open a season with 15 consecutive victories, per Jenna West and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic. The other three teams were the Washington Capitols (15-0 in 1948/49), the Rockets (15-0 in ’93/94), and the Warriors (24-0 in ’15/16).

Darius Garland (25 points, 12 assists, five rebounds), Ty Jerome (24 points, eight assists), Evan Mobley (23 points, 11 rebounds) and Jarrett Allen (21 points, 15 rebounds) led a balanced attack for Cleveland, which won by 14 points despite playing without star guard Donovan Mitchell, who was resting. As Lloyd notes, the Cavs have the best offensive rating in the league, having scored at least 130 points six times, which is a franchise record; they nearly accomplished the feat again on Sunday, finishing with 128.

The Cavs will face their biggest test of the season on Tuesday in Boston against the defending champion Celtics, who are 11-3, good for second place in the East.

Here’s more on the Cavaliers:

Head coach Kenny Atkinson complimented Jerome following Sunday’s game, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. “He’s one of our best players right now,” Atkinson said. “It’s always nice having another ball-handler out there so D.G. doesn’t get worn out.” For his part, Jerome said the victory was a byproduct of the team’s depth. “Just a deep, complete team,” Jerome said. “Kenny said after the game, ‘We go one through 18 and we’re 18 deep.’ Something we pride ourselves on.” The 27-year-old guard, who was limited to just two games last season due to an ankle injury, will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
While their 15-0 start has been remarkable, Atkinson said he’s unhappy with how the defense has performed of late, according to Fedor of Cleveland.com. The Cavs gave up 73 points in the first half — and 126 overall — in Friday’s victory over Chicago, then 114 to Charlotte on Sunday.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN takes an in-depth look at how the Cavs’ offseason plans have paid off in a major way to open ’24/25. Atkinson, who was hired in late June to replace J.B. Bickerstaff, has implemented several changes, particularly on the offensive end, and has “total buy-in” from the team’s star players, Windhorst writes. “This is rare,” Atkinson said. “We just have this incredible chemistry and an incredible understanding and respect for one another. It’s beautiful to watch.”

Eastern Notes: Schröder, Thibodeau, Allen, Rivers, Horst

November 12th, 2024 at 8:26pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Dennis Schröder is playing some of the best ball of his career and he isn’t oblivious to the fact that he could be playing elsewhere at some point this season, the Nets guard told Brian Lewis of the New York Post.

“I’ve been in the league 12 years, and people have talked about my name in trade talks for 12 years. [And] I’ve been traded twice,” Schröder said. “… So [gossip] is going to happen. They use it as an event where they can promote who is on the block. I don’t really care.

“But I’ve bought into this system right now because they pay my checks, and I’m doing my job every single day, and I’m always professional about it, always going to make the most out of it. Get one percent better every single day. And whatever happens, happens. I understand it’s a business, but no worries here.”

Schröder, who is averaging 19.5 points and 6.2 assists per game, has an expiring $13MM contract.

We have more from the Eastern Conference:

The Knicks depleted their depth with some blockbuster moves this offseason and coach Tom Thibodeau has shown a reluctance to trust his reserves, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. In their last three losses, Thibodeau basically ran a six-man rotation in the second half with Miles McBride as the lone reserve receiving meaningful playing time.
The Cavaliers will look to stay unbeaten on Wednesday at Philadelphia but they could go without their starting center. Jarrett Allen is listed as questionable due to a lower left leg strain, Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweets. Allen appeared a little hobbled on Monday, according to Fedor, when he was limited to nine points, five rebounds and one block in 26 minutes against Chicago.
It’s unlikely that Doc Rivers is on the hot seat after the Bucks’ 2-8 start, considering Rivers received a four-year, $40MM contract after Adrian Griffin was fired in midseason, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick. General manager Jon Horst is under pressure after a few disappointing seasons, and league sources told Amick that there’s skepticism he’d be given the leeway to make another coaching change this soon.