The Timberwolves should explore signing Tony Allen

After being traded to the Chicago Bulls in a deal that sent Nikola Mirotic to the New Orleans Pelicans, Tony Allen has been released and is now a free agent.

It was reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that the Chicago Bulls will likely be releasing veteran guard Tony Allen. The move comes as no surprise, seeing as the Bulls current status is in full rebuild mode.

Over the offseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves had a lot of reported interest in Allen. However, he decided to sign with the New Orleans Pelicans. The good news now, however, is that fans can now get back on the “sign with Minnesota” train.

Allen would be a solid signing if he were to come to Minnesota. He’s a great defensive player who will bring 110 percent each and every night. He’s a huge reason the Memphis Grizzlies had so much grit-and-grind back in their heyday.

Over the years, he has generally posted incredible defensive ratings, including numerous times with a defensive rating under 100. His worse defensive rating happened to be last year, but a rating of 104.4 isn’t all that bad. And while he’s not the same player he was five years ago, Allen still provides a lot of experience and intensity.

Not only is it important for the Wolves to improve in the defensive category, but adding Allen would provide much-needed depth. Minnesota has struggled to find quality minutes when Andrew Wiggins and Jimmy Butler have gone to the bench. Shabazz Muhammad has regressed quite a bit, causing his minutes to do so as well. Jamal Crawford has been good offensively, but his defense has hurt the Wolves’ sorely. Marcus Georges-Hunt has seen his minutes fluctuate over the course of the season.

But beyond those three, the inconsistency the team has faced behind Butler and Wiggins has been a disappointment. Adding Allen would hopefully allow Minnesota to give Butler and Wiggins more rest. Hopefully, Minnesota would utilize a Allen and Crawford come bench combo, which should provide good minutes. Georges-Hunt will hopefully still find some time, but main thing is that Minnesota can have depth and quality play behind the starters.

The only issue other than his age is his offense. Minnesota’s bench has had trouble scoring at times, but if Gorgui Dieng, Nemanja Bjelica, Crawford and Tyus Jones can find some sort of offensive rhythm, then things will be just fine. Having Bjelica healthy has been a major revelation for Minnesota, because of his ability to score and shoot the ball. Dieng has played well of late, too.

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While the bench scoring has been a disappointment, the desperate need for defense and depth will show to have more value. Minnesota should sign Allen because of his defense and intensity, and the improved depth they’d have with him in the fold.