Memphis Grizzlies Speculation: Could Sacramento be a threat to sign Zach Randolph and Tony Allen?

Both Zach Randolph and Tony Allen will be entering the open market this summer. Should the Memphis Grizzlies consider Sacramento a threat?

The Memphis Grizzlies could lose both Zach Randolph and Tony Allen. If you’ve been a Grizzlies fan for the past eight years, this should scare the living daylights out of you. Not to mention, they could end up somewhere you don’t want them to end up.

Imagine them donning a different kind of blue and gold to pursue a championship ring alongside the two of the world’s best players. What if they end up with LeBron and Company? Or, what if they join a rising team – Minnesota – and knock the Grizzlies out of the playoffs next year? Wow, now that’s a depressing one.

Try this one on for size: what if old coach Dave Joerger wooed Randolph and Allen away to be veteran mentors on his young players? You know he sure loves his veterans.

The fit seems odd. Why would they leave a playoff team in Memphis to join a rebuilding effort? That’s not the way to end a career. They should be wanting to go to Golden State or Cleveland to chase that luscious first ring.

If Sacramento becomes a suitor for any of their services, it’s easy to see why. They have the money to play with, and Randolph and Allen would be the perfect mentors for the young Kings.

Mentors

For the first time in quite a while, the Sacramento Kings have a direction. Granted, it’s not a glamorous one, but it sure is promising.

At the end of last year, they let their young core loose. Even if he doesn’t end up like Steph Curry, Buddy Hield can be a solid scorer in this league. Skal Labissiere and Willy Cauley-Stein could end up being a pretty good two-way frontcourt.

They added to their core with a strong draft class this year. Harry Giles was the biggest risk of the draft, but his ceiling is higher than anyone in the class. Justin Jackson won’t be an All-Star, but he’s a consistent starter – and there’s nothing wrong with that. De’Aaron Fox could eventually be one of the league’s best point guards. His competitive fire makes him a strong leader for this team.

While Fox could be a leader on this team, they need someone who has been through the rigors of the NBA.

Insert Zach Randolph and Tony Allen.

Both players have experienced just about everything in the NBA. They’ve been a part of disasters (see: The Portland Jail Blazers), rebuilds (see: 2007 Boston Celtics) and success (see: 2008 Boston Celtics and 2011-2017 Memphis Grizzlies). Because of their experience, they could help season these guys into mature NBA players – or anti Demarcus Cousins.

Money Talks

Money is a lot of things. It’s a form of currency. It’s a medium of exchange. Money is the root of all evil. However, despite the many translations, there’s one fact of money that never changes: it always talks.

The Sacramento Kings have plenty money to work with this offseason. How much, you ask?

$52,000,000. That’s a lot of money.

Final Verdict

It’s hard to see the Sacramento Kings acquire Tony Allen and Zach Randolph, especially with where the team is going. They would be great for the young locker room, but if they were to leave Memphis, they should just go to a contender.

The Memphis Grizzlies should be the frontrunners to sign both of them, but they shouldn’t low-ball them.

Some team will pay them.

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