NBA Free Agency: Ray Allen to Heat Signing Unlikely

Despite a report two days ago by ESPN Heat Insider Brian Windhorst which confirmed the mutual interest between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics sharpshooter Ray Allen, a signing between the two sides appears more unlikely than preliminary. 

If anything, the report was more of a posturing ploy by Allen's agent to increase his value in the market.

Consider his position, after all, coming into this summer.

No free agent saw their stock plummet as much as Allen, 37, did after coming off a bone spur injury and a career low shooting performance  (he shot 30 % from beyond the arc) in the NBA playoffs.

In other words, the "discount rate" Allen was said to be offering Miami to sign for the mid-level exception is probably his expected value going into free agency.

See, while most people were getting distracted by the headline of Windhorst's report, they overlooked the key part of it- that Allen would "settle" for the mid-level exception to sign with a championship contender like Miami.

Wow! How generous of him! This, of course, has nothing to do with his awful performance in the playoffs or that the NBA is coming off a new CBA agreement that will force teams to tighten their pockets, right?!

Get real.

Allen isn't about to leave any money on the table in what will probably be the last big pay day contract of his career, if not his last contract at all.

In reality, he's just trying to set himself up with the best financial and winning situation he can going into free agency just like every other player.

But his agent did make one mistake.

If he was going to choose a guppy championship contending team to build Allen's value, it would have been more realistic if he went with the Thunder instead of the Heat.

After all, the Heat's only resource coming into this summer is it's mid-level exception, and does anyone really believe they would actually be dumb enough to invest what little money they have on more outside shooting instead of their glaring hole at the center position?

Really?

Who cares that Shane Battier, Mike Miller, and James Jones are all under contract next year. Who cares that Miami is in the same conference as Dwight Howard, Joakim Noah, Roy Hibbert, Tyson Chandler, and so on. We need some more rainmakers behind the three point line!

The truth is that, even if Ray Allen is a better version of an outside shooter than the Heat already has, signing him to it's mid-level exception makes as much sense as putting shiny new rims on a car that doesn't have an engine.

Not that Miami doesn't know this already.

Sure, they are interested in Allen- for the veteran minimum.

For the mid-level exception, though, they are probably just a bit more interested in the free agent status of guys like Chris Kaman, Marcus Camby, and Kwame Brown.

Remember, free agency is not about how big the name is, but how big the void is. And Miami's void in the middle is huge!

But there is a silver lining here that Heat fans shouldn't overlook.

Before this report came out, the Heat already had the gratification of knowing it ended the big three era in Boston en route to a championship.

Now, they have benefit of seeing one of the big three begging them for a shot at one last hurrah in his career!

How the tables have turned, hmm?

If I was Pat Riley, I'd say this to Allen.

Sure Ray, we'll take you. In fact, we'll even sign your other castmate, Kevin Garnett also. After all, It wouldn't feel like the Real Housewives of Celtic county without him around. But you want to hear the good news? Not only will you and Kevin live comfortably in South Florida off the veteran minimum, but there are over 400 different establishments down here that offer the early bird special! Welcome aboard!

Which is to say, the lesson as always- the Boston Celtics stink.

P.S.- in case you missed the opening intro for the Real Housewives of Celtic county, here it is:

Cue theme song-

Kevin Garnett: "I may lose my mind, but I'll NEVER lose my sense of loyalty!"

Paul Pierce: "I'm a farmer at heart! Just give me a wheelchair, and watch me MILK IT!"

Ray Allen: "I went from Umbrellas to Diapers-AND I'M STILL MAKING IT RAIN!"

Rajon Rondo: "If basketball wasn't the key to my heart, I could never dust the chip on my shoulder with the broom up my... "