NBA veteran Tony Allen is supposedly in the trading block after a report surfaced that that the Memphis Grizzlies are fielding offers from other teams. The shooting guard has played for Memphis since 2010.
The Grizzlies emerged as one of the biggest surprises in the present NBA season. Despite losing a number of their main players to injuries, the team still managed to scrape 18 wins in 30 games. Allen was supposedly among those who stepped up to help keep Memphis in playoff contention. The team is currently at the sixth spot in the Western Conference.
Allen's performance thus far may be one of the reasons that teams around the league had taken notice. As per a tweet from Memphis Grizzlies' beat writer Ronald Tillery, the management is open to possible trade negotiations from other squads.
Allen will turn 35 in January and is set to become an unrestricted free agent following the '16-'17 NBA season. He is best known for his defense, having been selected three times to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2012, 2013, and 2015. He also made it to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice in 2011 and 2016. Hence, Memphis can expect that any other team that needs an upgrade in their defensive ratings will surely come calling for Allen.
Tillery did not mention which specific teams have been in trade talks with Memphis to acquire the 13-year veteran. However, Foxsport reports that this deal could very well benefit the Los Angeles Lakers, which is in dire need of veteran leadership. Besides, Allen has managed to gain Lakers legend Kobe Bryant's respect, with the latter calling him the "best defender he ever faced."
As NBA nears its trade deadline in February, rumors grew by the numbers on teams looking to give up and acquire key pieces in their rotation. One such example is Los Angeles Lakers combo guard Jordan Clarkson, who might just move camp to Cleveland, as per a report by Travelers Today.
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