Why Washington Wizards Should Be Desperate to Sign Ray Allen

After pushing the Indiana Pacers six games in last season's conference semifinals, the Washington Wizards are now aiming for even bigger things—and they'll probably need some help.

Ray Allen may not be the first name that comes to mind, but that isn't stopping general manager Ernie Grunfeld from exploring the best remaining free-agent option on the market.

Earlier in September, CSNWashington.com's J. Michael reported, "The team contacted the 39-year-old shooting guard early in the free-agent process to gauge his interest in signing, CSNWashington.com has confirmed with two people with knowledge of the situation."

Grunfeld and Co. didn't let it end there.

Michael more recently indicated, "The Wizards have reached out to Ray Allen—again—in hopes of convincing the 39-year-old, if he decides to play rather than retire, to come to D.C., CSNWashington.com confirmed via multiple persons with knowledge of the situation."

The Washington Post's Jorge Castillo similarly reports that the Wizards "have 'periodically' checked in on Allen just as several other teams have since reached out to the sharpshooter at the beginning of free agency in July, according to a person familiar with the situation."

Given the stiff competition for Allen's services, Washington would be wise to prepare a Plan B or C. 

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That said, the Wizards appear to be in the running—technically, anyway.

Michael adds, "According to two people with knowledge of the situation, Allen's agent Jim Tanner hasn't told the Wizards that they wouldn't be an option."

So that's a start. And it's consistent with what we've heard from Allen himself. Despite widespread speculation the 10-time All-Star would follow LeBron James to the Cleveland Cavaliers, he's publicly kept his options wide-open.

"There's so much speculation about me going to Cleveland," Allen told reporters in August. "I haven't even decided where I will play. Obviously LeBron and I are great friends, and James Jones and I are really close. But at no point have those two tried to push me in that direction. I haven't had that conversation."

Indeed, Allen has yet to even make a decision about whether he'll play another year.

"I'm not in any rush [to make a decision]," Allen explained to the media in August. "I've played 18 years, and the way I look at my career, I'm content with everything that I've done. I just want to take this summer and see how it goes."

Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling recently confirmed that sentiment via Twitter, reporting, "[A] source close to Ray Allen says he's still undecided on the NBA this upcoming season."

With the summer coming to an end, one could read any number of things into Allen's protracted decision-making process. Though he remains in exceptional physical condition, the bigger question is whether he's mentally prepared to embark upon yet another season after such a successful run with the Miami Heat.

Complicating matters even further is the fact that Allen is a wanted man. Even if he's willing to explore options outside the Cavaliers, that hardly means the Wizards are a lock.

ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported in August, "Sources told ESPN.com...that the Spurs and Clippers have emerged as two more rivals for the Cavaliers to worry about as Cleveland continues to try to lure Allen away from the Miami Heat."

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Stein adds the Dallas Mavericks as yet another team interested in Allen.

In other words, it's not just that Washington has competition—it has elite competition. The Wizards would somehow have to convince the two-time champion that they're his best shot at a third—and likely final—title.

Not exactly a self-evident premise.

But while there are several hurdles for Washington to overcome, there's also hope—or at least enough hope to justify continued pursuit with the 2014-15 campaign just around the corner.

That hope is to some degree a product of desperation.

As CBSSports.com's James Herbert notes, "Washington needs Allen perhaps more than any other team. The franchise has high hopes after its run to the second round last year, and Martell Webster is recovering from back surgery. There's a big hole behind Bradley Beal in the backcourt."

And even with 16-year veteran Paul Pierce in the fold, the Wizards could certainly use a little extra leadership—perhaps even a mentor for Beal, who's actually drawn some comparisons to Allen.

While Allen's reunion with Pierce would steal a few headlines, there's little doubt Washington's interest has more to do with basketball.

In his second season with the Heat, Allen averaged 9.6 points while converting on 37.5 percent of his three-point attempts. His penchant for timely treys remains alive and well, and the most recent postseason performances serve as reminders that this man was built for high-pressure situations.

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The all-time leader in made three-pointers would instantly help head coach Randy Wittman space the floor and open some lanes for point guard John Wall and his first-rate speed.

As Castillo observes, "Without Webster and the departed Trevor Ariza, the Wizards will begin the year without their two best three-point shooters from last season." Pierce will ease that blow to some degree, but there's no substitute for a marksman like Allen.

Between his potential on-court contributions and all the intangibles he brings to the table, Allen makes a lot of sense from the Wizards' perspective.

The bigger question is how much sense the Wizards make for Allen.

Grunfeld's four seasons as general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks establish one link to Allen (who spent his first seven seasons with the Bucks). And Allen's five seasons with the Boston Celtics were all spent alongside Pierce.

Though Allen's defection to Miami rubbed Kevin Garnett the wrong way, there doesn't appear to be any bad blood with Pierce. Michael described the two as being "on good terms."

Connections aside, can Washington sell Allen on the club's position as a would-be contender?

There's no refuting the franchise's up-and-coming credentials. With Wall and Beal anchoring one the league's best young backcourts, some steady growth could do wonders for the Wizards' playoff ambitions.

Moreover, Washington boasts a deceptively strong front line of Nene Hilario and Marcin Gortat, ensuring a veteran interior presence to complement the emerging perimeter stars. Recently signed big men Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair add some much-needed depth, and the development of second-year swingman Otto Porter Jr. could go a long way toward determining this team's ceiling.

But questions persist about this roster's readiness to contend, questions that could very well steer Allen to a more established organization like the Spurs or Clippers. Questions that may make the star-studded Cavaliers all the more desirable.

With or without Allen, Washington's best days are almost certainly still ahead. How quickly those days dawn, however, likely depends on adding one of the NBA's most iconic shooters.