First off, this season is special. Hands down, no one thought we'd be 22-5 through 27 games. This type of start is not guaranteed next year. Or the year after that. Our core is young, but there's no reason we need to let it bake again. Our offense is the best in the league. But our defense, especially on the perimeter, isn't pretty. So why not go after a guy like Tony Allen? Yes, his best days are behind him. But, he'd come off the bench to provide some defensive ability on the second unit and with Memphis being 10-15 and not looking anything like their Western Conference Finals run from last year, maybe he could be had? Rumors are Memphis is already looking to move Z-Bo, so why not go after Tony? He also brings Championship experience to the table. If not Tony, we need someone who has a defensive mindset. Yes, it's great everyone can shoot 3's, but come postseason, we'll need to win games on the defensive end of the court. And turning up the defensive intensity in the second-half won't cut it.
I don't think he is better than Wes so how many minutes would he get? I like his contract of 5 mil per year for 3 more years after this, but he is a SG so you might as well trade CJ if you bring TA in. Same position IMO.
I would love to have Tony Allen, but I doubt Memphis deals him. He is the defensive wing stopper. Without him, Memphis's defense takes a huge hit. But if Olshey pulls that off with the likes of Wright, Leonard, and Claver; I would be totally excited!
The good thing about Allen is he plays 2/3; which would be allowing Wes and Batum to get more rest. It also gives us one of the best defensive bench wings in the league.
Tony Allen is a superior defender than Wesley, no question. But he's not really much of a shooter from distance and I don't think he's going to be a great fit in Stott's 3-pt heavy scheme. It's an interesting idea and something that would have to give you a pause before dismissing it, but I'm not sure it works.
I'm advocating Tony coming off the bench, not replacing Wesley or Nico. Wright and Williams' defense is sub-par right now, so even when they're scoring, they're giving it right back on the other end. This team needs to add a stopper if they want to make a WCF run.
I really like Tony Allen, and we should definitely call them if Memphis decides to blow it up, but I'm not sure they're that far down yet.
I would be all for him taking Wrights minutes and giving Wes/Nic a few extra minutes of rest. The problem with Allen is he is on a $20million contract until 2017. That is a lot of money to be committing to the next four years. I'd hate to lose one of our starters in three years because Tony Allen's contract factors into us being near the luxury tax. Plus what do we have to give Memphis? Leonard and some other asset such as a pick? What if CJ comes back, would he be a better option at backup SG? The move sounds great now but could be something we look back at as a terrible move in two years.
I'm reviving this idea 4 years on. (When the OP already said Allen's best days were behind him.) Allen is a FA and Memphis is not going to re-sign him. Rumor is that Clips want to do a sign-and-trade. I'd love to have Allen just for the example that perimeter defense is possible. If Sacramento can sign a bunch of veteran Grizzlies to tutor their young guys, why not us?
As long as he agrees not to also tutor our young guys in 3-point shooting. He's a worse 3-point shooter than Evan Turner. That said, he's pushing 36. So, I would only offer him a 1-year deal, and probably not much more than the vet min (using a portion of our tax player MLE). We'd have to clear a roster spot. So, bye-bye Patty Baseball. BNM
