NBA Rumors: Ray Allen Should Sign with Clippers over Miami Heat

According to ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst, free agent Ray Allen will be visiting with officials from the Los Angeles Clippers and the Miami Heat to listen to offers during the next two days.

Allen has a heavy list of suitors including the Clips, the Heat and the Memphis Grizzlies, as well as a return to the Boston Celtics.

With the C's electing to start Avery Bradley, Allen has already experienced a diminished role with the team.  

Add in the report that Mavs sixth man Jason Terry has reached a verbal agreement to sign with the Celtics, and Allen could be on his way out of Beantown soon.

If he decides to sign elsewhere, Miami and Los Angeles have to be the two most tantalizing prospects for the 36-year-old guard.

Taking his talents to South Beach would give Allen the opportunity to win now and win often, but a logjam at guard and forward could have him reconsidering. 

He certainly would not start in front of Dwyane Wade, and with Shane Battier and Mike Miller, Allen's role on the team would be uncertain at best.

Playing alongside the Big Three of Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh is scintillating, but Allen should still be seeking a prominent role next season.

At this point in his career, Allen's game is similar to that of Battier and Miller. Sure he would be an instant upgrade over either, but would coach Erik Spoelstra find a way to maximize the veteran's game?

The Clippers, on the other hand, give Allen the best opportunity to be a heavy contributor on a contender.

They can offer the UConn product the full mid-level exception at about $5 million per year, a couple million more than Miami can offer with their mini mid-level exception.

Lob City's biggest hole is at shooting guard, and Allen could easily slide into the Clippers' starting five.

For all of last season, the Clippers experimented with different starting guards to play alongside Chris Paul. 

Chauncey Billups started the season playing out of position at SG, while coach Vinny Del Negro also tried out Mo Williams, Eric Bledsoe, Randy Foye and Nick Young.

Starting Allen would have an immediate impact on the game for the Clippers.

He is a pure shooter that would consistently find open shots with defenses hounding Paul and Blake Griffin. Allen is also a solid individual and team defender and gives the Clippers some much needed height at the two spot.

With a lineup of Paul, Allen, Caron Butler, Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, LA would sport one of the premiere starting fives in the NBA.

Like most free agents, Allen should have money and team role on his mind in deciding where to play next season.

Heading to Hollywood gives him the best combination of both. The Clippers are looking to solidify a championship-contending roster, and signing Allen could be the final piece to the puzzle.