After helping the Boston Celtics make the improbably run all the way to the NBA Finals, Ray Allen now has to focus his attention on his impending free agency. Come July 1, 2010 he will have to decide whether or not he wants to return to Boston, or move on and look elsewhere for a job.
Allen has already stated that he would prefer to re-sign in Boston, but the question is, after a bad Game 7 in the finals, will the Celtics want to spend the money to re-sign him? There are a few teams that I think will consider signing him, and that he would consider signing with, so without further delay, let's dive into the teams.
1. Boston Celtics
I start out with Boston because I think they are the most likely option for Allen. The Celtics have made two runs to the NBA Finals in the last three seasons, and Allen has been a big part of all three. One issue that could cause Allen to have to leave would be the age of the big three. Are the Celtics really going to put the future of their team on the shoulders of three aging players who all had their struggles throughout the Finals?
Something else to think about for Allen is how much longer he wants to play. The length of the deal he signs could also be a very big factor in where he lands. Take the Celtics for instance. Are they going to sign Allen to more than a one or two year deal? The answer to that is no. Other teams that I mention later very well could be interested in a three year deal for him.
Overall, both Boston and Allen have interest in attempting to work out a contract, but there are some major issues that could cause the two sides to part ways.
2. Miami Heat
The Heat have been rumored to have major in Allen as well. Dwyane Wade is very dedicated to bringing another star to Miami with him, and while Allen isn't one of the big stars he is a player that I'm sure Wade would consider a size-able addition.
The lineup for Miami after signing Allen could go two different ways. One way it would look like,
PG: Mario Chalmers/Draft Pick
SG: Dwyane Wade
SF: Ray Allen
PF: Michael Beasley
C: Free Agent Signing???
while the other way would look like,
PG: Dwyane Wade
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Michael Beasley
PF: Draft Pick/Free Agent Signing
C: Draft Pick/Free Agent Signing
either of those ways looks pretty good. The Heat do have a lot of holes, but the second lineup would allow them to draft a big rather than going after a point guard in the first round.
Overall, I'm not sure if the Heat would give Allen a three-year deal, but I don't think they would rule it out either. I'm sure Jesus Shuttlesworth would love the area of Miami, and playing alongside Dwyane Wade definitely has to be a draw.
3. Atlanta Hawks
This is one of the most interesting teams, and a dark horse in the Ray Allen sweepstakes. With the very good possibility of losing Joe Johnson, who is going to replace his shooting and scoring in Atlanta? The answer is they don't have anyone on their roster at this point in time that could step in like that. Allen would make perfect sense and could step in for less money than Johnson, but also would free up the team to play more as a team than just Johnson dribbling at the top trying to make a play.
They would probably offer him a two or three year deal, and Allen I'm sure wouldn't mind playing alongside the likes of Josh Smith, Al Horford, and the rest of the cast there with the Hawks. The question is, does Allen harbor any hard feelings from the Celtics/Hawks Playoff series a couple years ago that got very physical? I somehow doubt it, and if he feels like Boston mistreated him in any way by not re-signing him (assuming he isn't re-signed), then going to the Hawks could be one of the best ways to get back at them.
Overall, I wouldn't put Atlanta as the #1 or #2 option for him, but I do think they could make a run at him.
There are a few other teams out there that I could see being interested in him and making a run at him, but I don't really want to go into too much depth about these teams because I just don't see the two sides agreeing. The Chicago Bulls could be an option, with the need for a two-guard in Chicago. Other possible destinations include the Knicks and Nets.
Thoughts?
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