I attended a Grizzlies ownership luncheon yesterday which included a panel of Edward Dobbs, Elliot Perry, Duncan Williams and Jason Levian. The panel was moderated by Grizzlies Team Up director, Jenny Koltnow. The event was put on by the New Memphis Institute (formerly known as The Leadership Academy) and served as sort of a welcome to some of the new owners.

During a Q & A session, Jason Levian was asked about likelihood of retaining key players with expiring contracts at the end of the season. Basically the question was asking in a round about way if we were going to try to keep Tony Allen. Jason Levian replied by saying that they definitely want to keep Tony Allen and the moves that were made this year puts them in a better position to do so.

Since Levian wasn't ask about Tony specifically, I'm surprised that he named Tony specifically and committed to the desire to keep him. To be honest, last year I was convinced that there wouldn't be any way financially to keep Tony. But I was very please to hear that it is their intention to try to retain him.

If we are able to keep Tony next year, then I think that makes the moves that were made this year look even smarter.