News broke on Sunday that Tony Allen was nearing a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, and on Monday morning, it appears to be official.
"All I am at liberty to say is that we have come to terms with Tony Allen, and expect to sign a contract soon," Memphis GM Chris Wallace, who drafted Allen with the Celtics in 2004, told The Boston Globe.
The report says that Celtics GM Danny Ainge tried to retain Allen, but agreeing on terms was an issue. The contract with the Grizzlies is reportedly for three years and worth about $3 million per season. He made $2.5 million in each of the past two seasons.
"It's very unfortunate, him leaving, because I thought he would stay," Allen's mother, Ella Allen, told the Boston Herald. "I am very surprised, but my son makes his own decisions, and I support him 100 percent. … He is definitely going to miss the Celtics — it's a great team with great people. I know he is going to miss his friends. He really liked those guys. I'm sure he hates to leave."
Allen came into the Celtics organization with high expectations, following his standout career at Oklahoma State. He showed flashes of great potential in Boston, but it was never fully realized. In his six seasons with the Celtics, he averaged 7.2 points, 1.3 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 18.4 minutes per game.
He struggled to stay on the court as well, averaging just 56 games per season. His best statistical season came in 2006-07, when he averaged 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Fittingly, however, just as he was appearing to come into his own, he suffered a devastating knee injury when he drove the lane for a dunk after the play had been whistled dead. He played in just 33 games that season.
