NBA Rumors: Ray Allen Would Be Wise to Join Miami Heat
If Ray Allen wants money, he'll go to the Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Clippers.
If he wants another championship, he'll go to the Miami Heat.
Allen, an unrestricted free agent this offseason, will visit with the Heat and Clippers on Thursday and Friday respectively, according to the Miami Herald. The Heat reportedly can only offer Allen $3.1 million per season over three years, while the Clippers can offer $5 million per season over three years. The Celtics are reportedly offering Allen $12 million over two years.
Unless Allen is cash-strapped—which I'm pretty sure he isn't—the difference between what the Heat offer and what the Celtics offer is trivial, at least by NBA standards. He would make roughly $3 million more per season in Boston, but be signed for one less year.
The Celtics may have gotten to the Eastern Conference finals last season, but they aren't as strong as the Heat—even with Tuesday's signing of Jason Terry, and even with Kevin Garnett. Garnett obviously still has some life left in those legs, but he is aging; there is no debating that. Paul Pierce is also aging. It's hard to imagine the Celtics making the NBA Finals next season unless they make a drastic move.
The Heat, of course, are the defending champions. They will also still have the Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh next season. Even with an up-and-down supporting cast in 2011-2012, the Heat still got it done. With another year under their belt, they may be even better next season, especially if Allen joins them.
There's also the fact that the signing of Terry on Tuesday created a logjam at shooting guard in Boston. You now have Terry and rising youngster Avery Bradley—where does Allen fit there? He would likely play more backing up Wade in Miami than he would play with the Celtics next season.
And, yes, Allen has the best chance of starting for the Clippers, but do they really have what it takes to legitimately contend for a championship next season? I'm not so sure.
Allen won't make as much money by taking his talents to South Beach, but he'll have the best chance of winning another title before his career is over.
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