NBA Trade Rumors: Ray Allen Would Make LA Clippers Best Team in the West
Acquiring Boston Celtics star guard Ray Allen would make the Los Angeles Clippers the best team in the NBA's Western Conference and make them better suited to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder in a playoff series.
Since Chauncey Billups was lost for the season with an Achilles injury, it's been clear that the Clippers need another veteran shooting guard who can score, defend and hit important shots in the postseason.
"Allen has a skill set—the ability to shoot the ball—that fits in with any team. And with a $10 million expiring contract, there are a number of teams that could benefit from adding the NBA's all-time 3-point shooting king. Among those believed to have some interest in Allen, are the Los Angeles Clippers.
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Allen is a true professional and would have little trouble fitting into the Clippers team if he's traded to them from Boston.
The Celtics have battled a lot of injuries and poor play from their stars this season, but Allen has been quite consistent this season and is shooting an impressive 48 percent from the three-point line. If he keeps at that pace, he will set a new career high in three-point shooting.
Allen has a proven record of hitting massively important playoff shots for the Celtics, and his postseason experience would be a huge boost to the Clippers.
Nobody on the Clippers has played in and won an NBA Finals series. Caron Butler was on the Dallas Mavericks title winning team last season but did not play in the Finals because of an injury.
Allen would be a tremendous boost to the Clippers' playoff rotation, and he's very calm under pressure. For a team that has a lot of youth and playoff inexperience, Allen would provide the Clippers with a veteran star who can hit the clutch shots or free throws when the game is on the line in May and June.
Since Allen keeps himself in such fantastic shape, the Clippers might even be able to re-sign him to an extension if he's traded to them before the deadline, if he performs well for them.
The Clippers are one more piece away from being a legitimate championship contender, and acquiring Ray Allen would improve their guard depth while also giving the team a tremendous playoff performer.
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