Celtics coach Doc Rivers was surprised when Tony Allen left the team to sign with the Grizzlies as a free agent this summer.

Allen had spent six years in Boston.

"No," Rivers said when asked if it was time for Allen to move on. "I don't think so. I think he should have stayed.

"Our relationship was phenomenal, and he loved our players. Just sometimes you get into these contract negotiations and they become personal, and, you know, it happens.

"But I literally had him circled as being back. I assumed he would be back. But there's nothing you can do about it now."

Rajon Rondo even tried to persuade Allen to return, but he was stonewalled.

"He didn't answer," Rondo said. "He declined all my calls. I tried to call him.

"I guess he made the decision that was best for him. He did what he wanted to do."