Lakers rumors: Tony Allen on the trade block in Memphis
The latest Lakers rumors have to do with veteran Tony Allen.
According to a report from ESPN, the Memphis Grizzlies are open to dealing Tony Allen.
Playing in the NBA for over a decade, Allen has managed to gain respect because of his defense. Many elite talents have accredited him with being a tough person to play against, including Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
Rumor also has it that the Lakers could be interested in trading for Nerlens Noel from Philadelphia. The 76ers and Noel seem to be on different pages moving forward, and it could allow Los Angeles to acquire more young talent.
The idea of snagging Allen, however, might be more tempting.
This past off-season we saw the team try to go the route of veteran leadership via Luol Deng.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to say that Deng has met those expectations, if any of them.
Knowing that, it’s also worth noting that the young core has stepped in unprecedented fashion along the way.
Grizzlies Open To Dealing Tony Allen https://t.co/USFk945dHd pic.twitter.com/RTV8Uteehu
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) December 18, 2016
Getting Allen in the mix would almost instantly improve the Lakers’ defensive issues.
A focus on bench play, chemistry, and other timely adjustments has taken away from playing consistently good defense.
Allen has made the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times in his career.
The true impact he could have on a growing young core would be phenomenal. While Deng hasn’t been that go-to veteran necessarily, sixth man Lou Williams has done well in his place.
Williams currently leads the team in scoring, and took control when D’Angelo Russell and Nick Young were forced out due to injury.
Nothing is finalized yet, but ESPN does report that the Grizzlies will hear out offers for Allen.
If the Lakers make the right moves, they could sneak into the playoff conversation.
After all, they’re less than three games behind current eighth seed Portland.
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