It's good to be wanted, so Ray Allen must be feeling pretty good right now. At age 39, with nearly 20 years of NBA experience already, 3-point threat Ray Allen remains a hot commodity for NBA teams.
His former Miami teammate LeBron James wants Allen to join him in Cleveland, because James knows that Allen's veteran experience and champion's demeanor would add untold, intangible value to Cleveland. Last season, Allen averaged 9.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and two assists per game, and shot 44.2 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from beyond-the-arc. This is significantly down from Allen's production in the past, he is still the NBA's all time leader in 3 pointers. He is still one of the most dangerous threats from distance in the league, and can still come through in the clutch. For a Cleveland team that has already learned the lesson about not surrounding James with the pieces he needs to win a Championship, the addition of Allen would be a huge difference maker and go a long way toward insuring that James ends his career in Ohio.
According to the Hartford Courant, Allen is not in a real big hurry to make a decision, and is looking for the perfect situation to end his own career.
"I'm not in any rush [to make a decision]," Allen said during a break in the Citi Ray Allen Basketball ProCamp at East Granby High on Saturday morning. "I've played 18 years, and the way I look at my career, I'm content with everything that I've done. I just want to take this summer and see how it goes."
Allen has won two NBA championships and has been an All-Star ten times. He has already done a great deal in his NBA career, and is not in financial trouble. At this point, he is already destined for the Hall of Fame.
The only way he returns to play is if he believes he has a great shot at winning another title. With Lebron James and Kyrie Irving already in Cleveland, and Kevin Love on his way there, it looks like the Cavs will give him as close to a sure thing as you can get in this league.
