With plenty of teams waiting with bated breath and keeping roster spots open, Ray Allen plans to decide on his NBA future after the NBA All-Star Weekend, reports ESPN.com‘s Brian Windhorst.
"Allen, 39, still has not decided whether he wants to return for a 19th season but has been keeping in shape and doing on-court work to keep his options open. Additionally, Allen has been in contact with teams to explore his possibilities and may take meetings during the upcoming All-Star break.Numerous teams have been staying in touch with Allen in hopes of signing him, including the Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers and, recently, the Atlanta Hawks.Allen’s potential role with a team is expected to be a deciding factor. He shot 39 percent from 3-point range and averaged 9.3 points while playing 26.4 minutes a game in 20 playoff games last season for the Heat after shooting 38 percent from 3 during the regular season."
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The Cleveland Cavaliers have been in the mix since they signed LeBron James in July and have had an open spot on the roster for a month now since making their mid-season trades.
Allen could re-join LeBron and former teammates James Jones and Mike Miller, while also jumping on a team with a chance to make the NBA Finals.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks have the best record in the league and just cleared up a roster spot by trading rookie forward Adreian Payne to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a first-round pick.
The Hawks present a team that thrives on ball movement and getting its players open looks–especially from 3-point range. Kyle Korver, on pace for the first 50-50-90 season in NBA history and who was just appointed to the East’s All-Star team, is living proof.
The Heat’s best chance is that Allen would want to remain in Miami and with the Heat organization. Of all the teams who could use Allen, the Heat possibly offer the most playing time. But if he wanted to play that bad, he’d probably had decided if he wanted to be in the league by now.
Miami’s chances are certainly slim. Next to none. I wouldn’t get my hopes up, Heat fans.