Is This The End for the Grindfather, Tony Allen, In Memphis?

Tony Allen and the Memphis Grizzlies are headed for their seventh straight playoff appearance. They will play the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. Allen is averaging 9.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game for the 43-38 Grizz. It’s his highest point average since 2012 and his highest rebound average ever. Those are remarkable numbers considering he’s been in the league for 13 seasons.

He is a beloved man in Memphis, too. And he might be one on the way out the door. Allen is at the end of a four-year $20 million contract and will be an unrestricted free agent next season.

“I’ve already talked to the front office, and if it works out for us that we can have him back, I love him,” Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale told USA Today this week. “But I also know that we have to make some decisions based on what’s best for the unit. That’s where we’ll come together and we’ll see what’s on the table and we’ll give our input on what gives us our best chance moving forward.”

Because of what may happen, and because this could be Allen’s last few weeks with the Grizzlies, Memphis gave out pepper grinders at a game on Sunday to honor The Grindfather. This is pretty easily the greatest giveaway of all time.

Ok, the Tony Allen 'Grindfather' pepper grinder might be the best giveaway we've ever seen. (via /r/NBA) pic.twitter.com/7li8aQ4tUp

— Dime on UPROXX (@DimeUPROXX) April 7, 2017

The Tony Allen pepper grinder inspired a ridiculous list of gift ideas for player tribute nights. Check it out: #NBA https://t.co/JMcRyyJHcs pic.twitter.com/6zHdDaJI6x

— Brickhouse (@brickhousepod) April 9, 2017

“I don’t even want to think about that,” Allen said when asked about leaving Memohis. “What I embody for this organization, everything that I embody, it would be almost like a divorce if I go somewhere. Even if I don’t sign here, I’m going to still live here. I’m thankful, I’m glad that the city embraced me, my hard work and my work ethic. That’s what made that connection, that bond, that made me want to call myself a Memphian. You know I’m born in Chicago but I’m a Memphian.”

By way of Stillwater … which I’m very happy about.

Hopefully Allen will get to re-sign with the Grizz. It’s hard to imagine him taking his Grindfather act anywhere else (although OKC would be fun!) — He’s the perfect guy in the perfect city for him. And it’s been a joy to watch him for the last decade and a half.