NBA Rumors: Lakers, Bulls and Knicks Reportedly Interested in Ray Allen

As an unrestricted free agent this summer, Ray Allen is going to have quite a few options.

Despite being severely limited during the playoffs due to a right ankle injury, the Boston Celtics star will almost certainly want to continue his NBA playing career. The first step is getting healthy, which Allen will reportedly accomplish with the aid of surgery scheduled for this Wednesday. 

Even with his injuries and ascending age, the veteran shooting guard will not have any shortage of suitors this offseason. Sports Illustrated senior writer Ian Thomsen listed the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies as potential candidates for his services. 

Allen has made it clear that he wants to remain with Boston, stating, “the four of us [Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo] know how to play basketball. We know how to win games.”

This may be a plea to general manager Danny Ainge to retain him and KG this summer, but Thomsen reported that Ainge isn’t committed to bringing both players back. With Father Time catching up to the Celtics, significant cap space will be needed for a rebuilding effort.

But after coming just one game short of another NBA Finals appearance, Boston owes the "Big Four" one more shot at a title. They have given so much to the city over the past five years, including a championship banner in 2008. 

The Celtics are going to eventually have to make a full-on rebuilding effort, but it should wait until after the 2012-13 season. Both Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett have done more than enough to deserve one more contract from the franchise.