As the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare for the upcoming offseason, the organization faces a pivotal moment that may define the future trajectory of the team. Despite a solid regular season and a competitive presence in the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers’ playoff performance highlighted critical weaknesses, reinforcing the notion that they remain at least one key move away from truly competing for an NBA championship.
This reality has led to increasing speculation that Cleveland could consider major roster changes in the coming months. On a recent episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com delved into the idea that the Cavaliers might shake up their core roster, with two significant names coming up in discussions—center Jarrett Allen and point guard Darius Garland.
Fedor emphasized that Cleveland’s front office may be willing to entertain the possibility of improving the team by moving on from one of their stars. “There’s a real possibility that you could convince yourself that you could become a better basketball team without Jarrett Allen,” he said. “There’s a real possibility that you could convince yourself, based on the offers that you’re getting or the packages that you believe are available to you, that you could become a better basketball team without Darius. That’s not overreacting.”
This sentiment reflects a broader consideration by the Cavaliers that standing pat may no longer be sufficient. The disappointing playoff exit exposed some of the team’s vulnerabilities, particularly in high-pressure situations against physical and experienced opponents. As such, it’s not out of the question that Cleveland could consider trading either Allen or Garland—or perhaps both—if the right offers come along.
Both players have been subjects of criticism in the wake of the team’s postseason collapse. Jarrett Allen, in particular, has drawn scrutiny for his lack of physical dominance during the playoffs. Former Cavaliers big man Channing Frye was outspoken in his assessment during a recent Road Trippin’ podcast episode, questioning Allen’s postseason viability.
“It’s really been bothering me… Jarrett Allen is not a playoff big man,” Frye said. “That is my statement. He is not physically dominant. He is not physically aggressive… At some point, as the main dude – the biggest dude on your team – you’ve gotta f*** somebody up once in a while.”
Despite Allen’s strong skill set—he’s known for his rim-running ability, explosiveness, and rebounding prowess—Frye believes that Allen hasn’t yet developed the level of physicality required to anchor a contending team in the playoffs. The postseason environment demands not just talent, but toughness and assertiveness, traits Frye feels Allen needs to embrace more fully.
Statistically, Allen had a solid playoff run, averaging 13.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists over nine games, while shooting an impressive 72.1% from the field. Nevertheless, numbers alone may not fully capture what’s lacking. In the playoffs, it’s often the intangibles—the ability to impose your will on the game—that separate contenders from pretenders.
Meanwhile, Garland has also seen his stock decline somewhat, largely due to injury concerns and inconsistent postseason play. His absence in key playoff games was a significant factor in the Cavaliers’ struggles. The team lacked rhythm and cohesion in his absence, and while Garland’s talent is undeniable, questions about his durability and long-term fit with fellow guard Donovan Mitchell have resurfaced.
Former NBA player Kenyon Martin also weighed in on Cleveland’s roster issues during an episode of the Gils Arena podcast. Martin criticized the number of Cavaliers who missed playoff games due to injuries, implying that some players lacked the necessary grit to push through adversity when it mattered most.
“You don’t suit up, bro, give me something? We’re already down Darius Garland, we know he ain’t healthy,” Martin said. “We know this going into it, he missed Game 1. So him playing in Game 2 is slim and none… Evan Mobley, we rely on you nightly. It ain’t just your points; it’s your defensive presence, it’s you being out there, it’s something that we could use. When they didn’t play in Game 2 I’m like, ‘Oh man they ain’t going to beat nobody, ain’t got no heart.”
Martin’s harsh criticism sheds light on a broader concern: whether the current Cavaliers roster possesses the mental and physical toughness necessary for postseason success. Injuries were undoubtedly a factor in Cleveland’s early exit, but the perception that the team lacked fight has intensified calls for changes to the roster.
With all this in mind, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman and the front office have some critical decisions to make. While minor changes—such as adding depth to the bench—are expected, there is a growing belief that more significant moves could be on the horizon. This could mean exploring the trade market for Allen and/or Garland to reshape the team in a way that better supports a deep playoff run.
The team has already undergone a transition by hiring Kenny Atkinson as head coach, and a new coaching philosophy could bring a different perspective on how the current roster fits together. Atkinson may favor a different style of play or different personnel priorities, further incentivizing roster adjustments.
One potential outcome is that the Cavaliers seek to build more complementary lineups around Mitchell, who remains the centerpiece of the team. If the organization concludes that the Allen-Mobley frontcourt pairing clogs the paint or that the Garland-Mitchell backcourt lacks defensive synergy, trades may follow to address those concerns.
Ultimately, the Cavaliers find themselves at a crossroads. The 2023–24 season offered promise but ended in frustration. The upcoming offseason is an opportunity to reevaluate what kind of team they want to be. Whether that includes Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland remains to be seen. However, if Cleveland hopes to elevate from playoff participants to true contenders, bold decisions may be not just advisable—but necessary.
