2012 NBA Offseason: Ray Allen Leaning Towards Joining the Miami Heat?

It is very plausible that Ray Allen could be taking his talents to South Beach next season.

SI.com and ESPNNewYork.com have both reported that Allen has serious interest in the Heat and Clippers. Both teams are believed to be at the very top of his wish list, if Allen ultimately decides to part ways with the Celtics. With Mike Miller potentially retiring at the end of the season, the Heat could certainly be in the market for reliable outside shooters.

Ray Allen definitely fits that bill.

Allen is one of the greatest pure shooters in NBA history. He has made a total of 2,718 threes in his career and his career three-point shooting percentage is at .400. Even more impressively, Allen surpassed Reggie Miller for the all-time lead in three-point fields goals made in NBA history. The Heat has never had a three-point shooter as consistent and efficient as Allen.

This is why the possible addition of Allen would dramatically improve the Heat’s bench. As a team, you can never have enough good shooters and dangerous scorers.

Allen is also one of the most accurate free throw shooters in NBA history. The Heat’s struggles at the free throw line this season have been very well documented. This is another area in which Allen could tremendously help the Heat. He is the very last guy any opposing team wants to put at the free throw line, especially in late-game situations. Allen has a career 0.894 free throw percentage.

The only concern the Heat may have is Allen’s age. Of course he has lost a step or two over the years, but there is no denying what he could bring to this star-studded Heat squad. His experience and leadership will be unequivocal and unparalleled.  

It will be very interesting to see just how much interest the Heat expresses in Allen’s services. At least we already know that Allen is going to take a good hard look at the Heat.