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Jesus Shuttlesworth is thinking about playing in the NBA again. Per reports, NBA legend Ray Allen is seriously contemplating an NBA comeback, likely due to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors separating themselves from the rest of the NBA.
Allen has grown interested in the idea of chasing a championship and accorindg to ESPN, has four teams on his list of teams that he’d consider joining. The Warriors and Cavs undoubtedly top the list, but the Spurs and Clippers are also said to be in the mix for the 41-year old sharpshooter.
Ray Allen reportedly mulling return; His representatives reached out to Cavs and Warriors https://t.co/k034yoHdYl pic.twitter.com/KPLujxRwSL
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 6, 2016
While Allen has been out of the league the last two years, his final moments in the league were part of a championship team in Miami during the 2013 season. In that playoff run, Allen made a title possible by hitting a clutch three to force overtime against the San Antonio Spurs in a dramatic game six. If not for Allen, it’s quite likely the Spurs win that series.
Allen doesn’t have to hit overtime-forcing three’s to provide the right team with considerable value, however. Allen has fared well in numerous roles throughout an 18-year career that saw him average over 18 points per game and connect on over 40% of his three-point shots. Easily one of the greatest marksmen in league history, Allen would give any of the four contending teams an elite outside shooter and a veteran leader that will report to the team in shape and ready to battle.
The big question, of course, is if Ray Allen truly is ready to play again, where will he wind up signing? Let’s take a look at the four teams he’s considering and come away with a prediction:
Los Angeles Clippers
If Ray Allen wants a good amount of minutes and some familiar faces in his NBA comeback, then the Clippers have a chance. Allen knows head coach Doc Rivers and small forward Paul Pierce from his days with the Boston Celtics and L.A. is probably the team on this list that could carve out the biggest role for Allen off the bench.
The Clippers don’t have a team of scrubs, either. They have their own Big 3 in Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, as well as some solid intermediate scoring options in J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford. They’d still lack depth down low, but Allen would give them a third outside threat and greatly enhance a pretty lackluster bench.
Still, Allen survived numerous trade rumors during his days in Boston and may not love the Clipper’s odds to win a title. This landing spot would be more about comfort and ego than a realistic shot at getting to the NBA Finals, so we’re going to say it’s not happening.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs don’t look as close to a title as the Cavs or Dubs, but they are certainly stacked enough to make a run. Tim Duncan could retire and the team did just trade away Boris Diaw, but they also brought in Pau Gasol and already have Tony Parker, LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard. If the team keeps Duncan and also brings back Manu Ginobili, Allen would be joining a very old – but seasoned – San Antonio roster.
The Spurs would lack youth and explosiveness, but they sure would have plenty of smart, savvy and experienced players. Allen wouldn’t have a massive role, but he’d get around 15 minutes and give the Spurs an elite outside shooter to go with Manu and Danny Green on the wing.
Cleveland Cavaliers
This could be another place for familiarity for Allen, as he spent some time with LeBron James in Miami and won a title with him before stepping away from the league. He has been rumored to be connected to the Cavs ever since James went back to Cleveland, and it’s possible that finally comes to fruition.
Cleveland has basically no money to spend, but they can still afford Allen under the veteran’s minimum and with Matthew Dellevadova gone to Milwaukee, there should be a solid spot opening up. That could be the perfect spot for Allen to step in and give a Cleveland team that already was top-three in outside shooting an extra boost.
Golden State Warriors
Allen’s interest seems to initially have been peaked by the Warriors, who recently added superstar forward Kevin Durant and quickly added solid veteran depth via David West and Zaza Pachulia. Bringing in Ray Allen would be far from shocking for a team that is clearly loading up on veteran talent that wants to win a title, and this situation could benefit him just as well.
It’s possible Allen sees the writing on the wall with the KD signing – that the Dubs are locks to get back to the NBA Finals for the third year in a row and they’re probably going to win. It’s tough to argue that sentiment, and if Allen can chip in at around 15-20 minutes per game, why not give it one last go around?
Ray Allen’s reps reportedly reached out to the #Warriors about joining them https://t.co/e4sJY086ZF pic.twitter.com/BpdVVJcjjU
— Dime Magazine (@DimeMag) July 6, 2016
Nothing is set in stone, of course. Ray Allen has been out of the league for two years, is 41 and it’s unclear what kind of shape he’s in and what exactly he’d give a title contender at this point. Odds are he’s kept himself in pretty good shape, though, and can still sling it from deep. That likely benefits the Dubs the most, who probably wouldn’t ask Allen to do much more than shoot three’s in a spaced out floor. That’s what he’s best at, though, so it makes sense that he’s reached out to the team.
Ultimately, Ray Allen may not return to the NBA. If he does, however, it’ll be with the Golden State Warriors.
