NBA Rumors: Why Ray Allen Will Reject Heat and Re-Sign with Celtics

The word “loyalty” is going to be brought up multiple times in the next few days regarding free agent Ray Allen.

With the Los Angeles Clippers signing Jamal Crawford and Chauncey Billups on Thursday, there are only two teams in the running for the soon-to-be 37-year-old: the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics.

On the surface you’d think he would choose the reigning champs.

He gets to live in a warm weather city and play alongside LeBron James in his prime as well as Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Allen’s three-point shooting proficiency is exactly what the team needs to repeat as world champions.

The Celtics revolve around players well past their prime who are desperately clinging to the hope of having one final season of glory. If the team couldn’t win last year…what’s going to really change?

But there is more to it than that.

The Celtics are reportedly offering Allen a two-year; $12 million contract to remain in Boston. This is roughly double the salary Miami can offer.

More importantly, it’s about staying with his teammates.

The Celtics lost to Miami in the Eastern Conference finals last month and if Allen were to sign with the Heat, he would be succumbing to the dark side. He would essentially be waving the white flag and adhering to the old saying “if ya can’t beat ‘em, join him.”

How could Allen ever live with himself as he watches his old ‘mates slowly fall back to just another team in the Eastern Conference while he takes the easy road to another ring?

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst thinks it would be a slap in the face to Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett:

"

With LAC out, going to Heat would mean Allen would have to sign for half BOS offer + betray Pierce & Garnett. That's a tough sell.

— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 5, 2012"

How loyal is Allen?

Is he willing to give Boston’s Big Three another chance, where winning another ring seems unlikely? Or is he willing to sacrifice salary and join the enemy by heading south?

Judging from the actions of Allen over his career, it’s hard to imagine he would turn his back on Pierce and Garnett now. They have been together since the 2007-08 season and have formed a bond rarely seen in today’s NBA.

This team has real chemistry, and Allen is one of the leaders. He would be just another guy in Miami, a complete afterthought to their own Big Three. Sure, the odds of landing a second ring are much higher, but is it worth turning your back on a franchise that has treated you so well?

The decision Allen makes in the next few days is going to forever seal the way fans in Boston feel about him.

Loyal or traitor?

Expect Allen to choose loyalty. 

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