Memphis Grizzlies: What Does The Future Hold For Beale Street Bears?

The Tony Allen Dilemma

Whether or not the Memphis Grizzlies re-sign Zach Randolph, a similar dilemma will arise with Tony Allen. Mr. First Team All-Defense is an NBA champion who has been with the Grizzlies since 2010, when he shocked the masses by spurning the Boston Celtics for what was previously viewed as a lowly organization.

Loyalty matters in Memphis, and even at 35 years of age, bringing Allen back on a two-year deal would be an advisable move for the Grizzlies.

For whatever Allen may lack on offense, the Grizzlies won’t find another on-ball defender quite like him. Come the playoffs, when games slow down and creating in the half court becomes the primary task, having a rabid defender like Allen would give Memphis an undeniably powerful advantage.

Considering Allen made $5,505,618 in 2016-17, it stands to reason that he could be re-signed for an affordable cost during the upcoming offseason.

If Memphis decides to move on from Allen, then finding an affordable option to replace him could be a tall task. It already owes upwards of $93 million in salary, and bringing Allen back would mean making a financially responsible move.

If nothing else, it would fit the need to continue defending at the highest possible level.

Unless a better defender or a vastly superior offensive player who executes at a high level on defense can be had, then re-signing Allen would be one of the best realistic decisions Memphis could make.

With salary restrictions and a need for defense, keeping Allen could prove to be an ideal move.