2012 NBA Free Agents: Updates on Ray Allen, Jamal Crawford and Top Guards

NBA teams needing help at the shooting guard position will be in luck this summer because the 2012 free-agent class is full of quality two-guards who can start or provide instant offense off the bench.

Ray Allen and Jamal Crawford headline an impressive group of free-agent shooting guards that contending teams such as the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks could pursue.

Let's check out the latest updates on the top shooting guards available.

Ray Allen

Ray Allen had surgery following the Celtics' Game 7 loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals, but since he keeps his body in such tremendous shape, he certainly has several more years of productive basketball left in his career.

According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports, Allen could be a target of Miami's in free agency.

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Allen’s free-agent options are up in the air. The Miami Heat are expected to make a strong run at signing him this summer, one league source said.

“First of all, the team has to be willing to have me back,” Allen said. “Then you have to look around to see what’s acceptable and who is capable of having me on the team and then you go from there. It’s hard to really say.”

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Allen would be perfect for the Heat. He is the reliable outside shooter they need on the perimeter who can also give Dwyane Wade a break and still keep the offense in high gear. His defense is not elite, but it's still solid for a veteran player.

Allen is also one of the best free-throw shooters in the NBA, which would really help Miami since they have struggled throughout the playoffs from the line.

Jamal Crawford

According to Sam Amico of Fox Sports, Jamal Crawford will join the free-agent market after one season with the Portland Trail Blazers.

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Jamal Crawford has opted out of his contract with the Trail Blazers and entered free agency. Teams said to be on his radar include the Heat, Clippers, Kings, Knicks and Cavaliers. Crawford, 32, averaged 14.0 points per game last season.

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The Blazers will not be championship contenders next season, and at his age, Crawford needs to find a team that is title ready, so he can win his first championship ring.

Crawford is still a good sixth man off the bench who can shoot three-point shots and stretch the defense on the perimeter. If the Heat can't get Ray Allen, then going after Crawford would be their next best plan of action in free agency.

O.J. Mayo

The Memphis Grizzlies guard is one of the best young offensive players in basketball, but isn't getting the minutes he needs to reach his max potential with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Here's what one general manager told Fox Sports' Sam Amico about the Celtics and Mayo.

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“I also wouldn’t be surprised to see them try to make a run at Eric Gordon (restricted, Hornets) or O.J. Mayo (restricted, Grizzlies),” the GM said. “Also, Shannon Brown (unrestricted, Suns) could be a potential option for them. I know a lot of teams are interested in him.”

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Mayo would be the best option for the Celtics if Allen leaves the team through free agency this summer.

The Celtics must add more scoring talent to their bench in the offseason because the lack of offense from the second unit was a problem in the playoffs.

It would be foolish of Celtics GM Danny Ainge if he didn't try to sign Mayo from the Grizzlies.

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Nicholas Goss is an NBA Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report