Randolph, Allen to become 1st Grizzlies players with jerseys retired

The Memphis Grizzlies will honor two of the greatest players in franchise history.

Memphis will retire Zach Randolph’s No. 50 jersey on Dec. 11 against the Houston Rockets as well as Tony Allen’s No. 9 jersey on Jan. 28 when the Grizzlies take on the Utah Jazz, the team announced Wednesday.

Both players were key members of the Grizzlies’ “Grit and Grind” era that reached seven consecutive postseasons, including the club’s lone Western Conference finals appearance in 2012-13.

Randolph averaged 16.8 points and 10.2 boards over eight seasons in Memphis. He earned two All-Star selections and an All-NBA third-team nod during that span. The 2001 first-round pick is second on the Grizzlies’ all-time list for rebounds and third in scoring.

Allen was nicknamed “The Grindfather” for his tenacious play on the defensive end. The 6-foot-4 wing led the Association in steal percentage twice and earned six NBA All-Defensive selections in seven seasons with Memphis. Only Mike Conley has registered more steals in a Grizzlies uniform.

Knicks, Kings discussing Kanter-Randolph swap

The New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings are discussing the possibility of a trade centered around Enes Kanter and Zach Randolph, league sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Kanter has come off the bench in his past six outings as the Knicks continue to prioritize their future. He’s conceded playing time to younger players like Luke Kornet but is still averaging a double-double for the second straight year with 14.4 points and 11 rebounds per game.

After meeting with Knicks general manager on New Year’s Eve, Kanter insisted he did not request a trade. Still, the team is reportedly receiving interest in the 26-year-old, whose $18.6-million contract is set to expire this summer.

Randolph, a two-time All-Star with the Memphis Grizzlies earlier this decade, has not appeared for the Kings this season, the last of a two-year, $24-million deal he signed in 2017.

The Kings are also hoping to trade away more expiring contracts in a potential trade, and a deal with the Knicks is not imminent, Wojnarowski reports.

Sacramento guard Iman Shumpert ($11 million), center Kosta Koufos ($8.7 million), and guard Ben McLemore ($4.5 million) are also set to hit unrestricted free agency. Big man Willie Cauley-Stein, meanwhile, will be a restricted free agent.

The trade deadline is Feb. 7.

Grizzlies retire Zach Randolph’s No. 50

Zach Randolph took countless opponents to the floor as the face of the “Grit and Grind” Memphis Grizzlies over the past eight seasons. Now, he’ll likely see his name and number lifted to the rafters.

The Grizzlies announced Thursday that Randolph’s No. 50 jersey has been retired by the team, effective immediately. News broke earlier this week that Randolph, an unrestricted free agent, had reached a two-year, $24-million pact with the Sacramento Kings.

“While there will be a time and place to recognize your lasting impact in Memphis, starting today, as stated earlier by controlling owner, Robert Pera, number 50 will never be worn by any other member of the Memphis Grizzlies,” read part of the open letter addressed to Randolph by general manager Chris Wallace and team president Jason Wexler.

Randolph was traded to the Grizzlies by the Los Angeles Clippers in July 2009 in exchange for Quentin Richardson. Almost from the opening tip, the 6-foot-9 power forward – known affectionately as “Z-Bo” – became a cult figure in Memphis because of his physicality and an attitude toward the opposition that could be charitably described as cantankerous.

He averaged 16.8 points and 10.2 rebounds during his tenure in Memphis, helping the team reach the playoffs in each of the past seven seasons. For his efforts, Randolph was named to the All-Star team in 2010 and 2013, and the All-NBA third team at the conclusion of the 2010-11 campaign.