With one remaining roster spot open, the Washington Wizards signed Lavoy Allen to training camp deal.
According to Candace Buckner of the Washington Post, the Washington Wizards have signed sixth-year NBA veteran Lavoy Allen to their training camp roster. Allen, a 6-foot-9 forward from Temple University, is planning an NBA comeback after missing the entire 2018 season.
Allen spent part of last season playing for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China before returning to the states and signing with the Northern Arizona Suns. As a member of the Phoenix Suns‘ G League affiliate team, Allen averaged 9.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, as well as shooting 58.2 percent from the field across 10 games.
Selected with the 50th overall pick in 2011, Allen played three seasons as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers before being traded to the Indiana Pacers in 2014. In Indiana, Allen became a solid role player for the Pacers averaging 4.5 points and 4.8 rebounds over a three-year span.
With the experience he can bring to a team, Allen would make a great addition in Washington. However, with one roster spot remaining, Allen will have to prove to the Wizards that he is worth a season-long contract.
In addition to Allen, the Wizards have also invited three other players who are also competing for the vacant spot. Washington’s additional invites are Chasson Randle, Tiwian Kendley, and Chris Chiozza.
According to Buckner’s report, the Wizards have familiarity with the additional three players, as Randle participated in the team’s minicamp held last month, while Chiozza and Kendley played for the Wizards’ summer league team in Las Vegas.
While the Wizards knowledge of the three additional players may posied as a threat to Allen, it seems as if he has nothing to worry about.
Buckner later reported in a tweet that Allen has been in Washington for over a week working out with members of the team. So, it’s safe to say that Allen has a little advantage of his own heading into training camp.
If Allen does fail to make the Wizards’ final cut, his time with the organization is far from over. As part of Washington’s affiliated minor league team, Allen was selected by the Capital City Go-Go during the G League expansion draft in August.