Hopefully you didn't go out an buy your Tony Allen jersey following Thursday's reports that the defensive specialist was re-signing with the Celtics. According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Allen is close to signing a multiyear deal worth around $3 million a season with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Signing Allen would mean Memphis would completely severe ties with Ronnie Brewer, who it acquired from Utah for a protected 2011 first-round pick in February. Brewer wasn't extended a $3.7 million qualifying offer and became an unrestricted free agent. [...]
The Griz decided on Allen because of the defense and toughness he could bring to the backcourt off the bench. Memphis is also said to like Allen's leadership qualities and championship attitude given he's played for the title-contending Celtics.
Allen, a first-round pick in 2004, has spent his whole career with Boston. As the Herald points out, the Celtics own Allen's Bird Rights, meaning they can go over the salary cap in effort to retain him. Though CelticsBlog feels that he is "a highly replaceable player."