Tony Allen could be in the Los Angeles Lakers' radar as the team attempts to sneak into the playoffs conversation this season.
The Lakers could explore the trade market, with the team recently struggling to find their winning form. The team's young talents have shown promising results this season, but inconsistency remains a factor for the team's losing skid.
Trading for a veteran who could help the team on the defensive end could do wonders to Luke Walton's schemes and give the Lakers a better chance of winning more games. One potential trade target for the Lakers is Memphis Grizzlies forward Tony Allen, who could be on the trading block before the 2017 trade deadline.
Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal reported that the Grizzlies are listening to offers for Allen, who has been playing an essential role to keep Memphis afloat the Western Conference after multiple injuries to key players. According to Keith Rivas of Sports Illustrated's Fansided, the 35-year-old forward could be an option for the Lakers if the team decides to explore the trade market.
Allen, a three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team member, is known for his effectiveness on the defensive end. His presence would instantly boost the Lakers' defensive issues at the wing and could serve as a perfect mentor to the team's core of young talents. Allen isn't the proven star the Lakers have been longing for, but he could certainly help improve the team's chances of reaching the postseason.
Allen is playing on the final year of his four-year $20 million deal with the Grizzlies, which makes him a potential one-year rental for the Lakers. Any potential deal for Allen won't likely require the Lakers to give up their core of youngsters, but Nick Young, who has been playing impressive basketball under Walton's system, could be a trade chip for Los Angeles.
The Lakers have attempted to move Young several times during the offseason, but Walton's arrival has apparently saved Swaggy P from getting dealt. The Grizzlies lack outside threats, which makes Young a perfect piece for Allen.
Nevertheless, the Lakers seem not in any rush to make some moves before the deadline. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has insisted he is loving how the team plays, although it is possible to consider deals if there are any.
"We're going to have to be a little patient. We're going to have to do our job, which is to look at opportunities that may come up in the next month or two. And if there are none-which is fine with me, because I like the young guys on the team-then during the offseason, we'll have to look at opportunities," Kupchak said, reports Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.
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