The long awaited decision of Ray Allen’s future may finally be coming to a close at the end of this week according to Mike Cairns of News Channel 5 (WEWS) in Cleveland. Ray Allen is expected to make his decision on which contending team he will be making his return to this season which could be his final season.
The two time NBA champion has been working out in Miami staying in shape in hopes of joining a contender mid season to make a run at a third championship. Obviously any contender will lineup for Allen’s services if the cap room and roster space is there, but the realistic landing spots for Allen seem to be the Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers.
I think we are getting close to a decision #Cavs fans. I am hearing Ray Allen was in Cleveland yesterday. expected to make decision soon.
— Mike Cairns (@MikeCairns5) February 17, 2015
Teams have remained in contact with Allen’s agent, but outside of Allen no one knows what decision he will make as of right now. LeBron James did travel to Miami during time off to rehab a nagging knee injury he had earlier in the season to workout with Allen. Allen’s choice comes down to a Cleveland team that could use depth especially the floor spacing and ability to knock down wide open jumpers which he will get. Atlanta is close to home for Allen in Miami that not only could the best team in the Eastern Conference entice him to come back this is certainly a big help. Unless Los Angeles unloads Shooting Guard Jamal Crawford I cannot see Allen reuniting with Head Coach Doc Rivers it would be a tough rotation to work around.
The 39 year old sharp shooter has a choice to make and in the end I believe Cleveland will be the destination he will end up choosing. Allen reportedly did have concerns about Cleveland’s slow start, but I think he might be convinced after Cleveland’s play after transactions made to acquire key pieces like Timofey Mozgov, J.R. Smith, and Iman Shumpert. James and Allen became close friends in their time together in Miami and I think could have the final say so in any argument of which team to go to.
The only problem I can see happening in Cleveland is what rotation does Cleveland can use to give minutes to players like Shumpert, Smith, Allen, Miller, and Jones. Come playoff time though depth will be a Head Coach’s best friend and having Allen in your rotation could be the difference between a Larry O’Brien trophy or going home early if you don’t have him if you are Cleveland.
We should know within the next few days if Allen is returning or not, and it should make the trade deadline even more exciting with a free agent like Allen possibly joining a contender to stir things up in The NBA.
