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12/22/2024 06:33:56 pm

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NBA Trade Rumors: Grizzlies' Tony Allen to Lakers for Nick Young Before Trade Deadline Possible?

Memphis Grizzlies' Tony Allen (L) and Los Angeles Lakers' Nick Young

(Photo : Getty Images) Memphis Grizzlies' Tony Allen (L) and Los Angeles Lakers' Nick Young. A direct-swap deal between the Grizzlies and Lakers involving the two players is speculated to happen in midseason as the Grizz looks to improve their outside shooting while the Lakers need more efficient perimeter defenders.

Memphis Grizzlies' resident small forward Tony Allen is currently being linked to the Los Angeles Lakers in a possible trade involving guard-forward Nick Young as the Grizz reportedly wants to evolve out of its Grit and Grind style while L.A. needs an efficient perimeter defender.

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Bleacher Report's Dan Favale noted that the 33-year-old Allen is the Grizzlies' best trade bait this season as the team reportedly lacks "surrounding shooters to justify playing him heavy minutes anymore".

Although the 11-year veteran is still one of the best perimeter stoppers in the NBA right now, opposing defenders are intentionally sagging on him while others "don't actually put a defender on him at all" as Allen is known throughout the league as "perimeter-challenged" on the other end of the floor.

Favale further said that Memphis could compensate from Allen's offensive woes "three years ago" as they still have enough shooters in their lineup back then. Currently, their only legitimate outside scoring threat is starting point guard Mike Conley while most NBA teams are steadily transitioning into small ball systems where floor spacing and outside shooting are essential.

Meanwhile, Sports Blog's All About Rookies reported that the Lakers could finally unload Young to an interested team as his outside sniping, particularly his three-point shooting, is still considered as one of the deadliest in the league right now.

The premise of the deal is Los Angeles' summer acquisition of Lou Williams, who basically plays the same role as Young's in Byron Scott's lineup this season.

With Williams gaining the nod of Scott, Young is slowly being faded out of the Lakers' rotation, which would eventually make him dispensable.

Mitch Kupchak and company have actually tried trading Young during the offseason, but there were no takers for the outgoing 6-foot-7 shooter.

Getting Allen would be a big lift for the Lakers' defense if Kupchak and Scott would only recognize such opportunity.

ESPN's NBA Trade Machine checker approves of a one-on-one trade between the Grizzlies and Lakers for Allen and Young, although there are no official announcements yet that the two teams are actually in talks about it right now.

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