Ray Allen Will Look to Return Next Season

According to a report by ESPN.com, Ray Allen will be back for his 19^th NBA season.

While Allen’s agent Jim Tanner told Yahoo! Sports on Saturday that his client has “not decided on playing next season”, Ray  Allen has reportedly “told people close to him” that he will be playing in the 2014-15 NBA season.  Allen also “privately told the source” that he has not yet “fully decided” on whom he will play for.

The 39 year old veteran is a free agent who has played the last two seasons with the Miami Heat. However, sources are also indicating that should Allen return for another season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are “the frontrunners” for his services. Allen is dead serious about winning a third NBA title and the best place to do that would be in Cleveland where LeBron James is right now. Allen’s former Miami Heat teammates Mike Miller and James Jones have recently signed with Miami to join forces with James.

Key Contributor

Ray Allen is definitely past his prime, but he fit well with the shooter role in Miami whom he helped capture the 2013 NBA championship with his clutch shooting. Prior to his stint in Miami, Allen teamed up with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to help the Boston Celtics win the 2008 NBA title.

This past season, Allen was still a key contributor off the Miami bench, averaging 9.6 points 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 90.5% from the line and 37.5% from the three point line.

Best Shooter in the Game

The 10 time All-Star is the NBA’s All-time leader in three point shots made with 2,973 career triples. There was none bigger than the three pointer which he made during the closing seconds of Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals which sent the game to overtime and saved the season for the Heat. Miami went on to win the title in seven games.

But after losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals, the Miami Heat big three disbanded with LeBron going back to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Shane Battier also retired while James Jones and Rashard Lewis left the team. This prompted Allen to also consider retirement. But Allen has since changed his stance and recently told the media during the 7^th Annual Jim Calhoun All Star Classic that he will wait until September to make his final decision.