Best Potential Free-Agent Fits for Ray Allen Among NBA's Contenders
Don't look now, but the midseason rumor mill is starting to churn with rumblings of a potential Ray Allen return.
According to The Huffington Post's Jordan Schultz, Allen is in no rush to make a decision regarding his future employer, although he has reportedly narrowed his choices down to the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards.
Furthermore, ESPN's Ryen Russillo reports that Allen "will make a decision in February," which is only reasonable after his 39-year-old legs appeared in a grand total of 93 games last season (including the playoffs) with the Miami Heat.
Of course, we've known Allen was going to be patient for some time after he discussed his future over the summer with the Hartford Courant's Dom Amore:
"To continue playing, really, the only argument is I can because I'm in great shape. "But just because you can doesn't mean you have to. Many people over these last couple of weeks have lobbied for me to continue to play. … My argument for not playing is, I have done a significant amount in my career and I appreciate everything that has come my way and as I've gotten older, I'm 39, there are so many things in life I want to be able to do to affect change — like being around kids full time, which I enjoy.
"
But if he does, in fact, look to squeeze every last ounce of productivity out of that sweet shooting stroke, Allen should have plenty of suitors atop the NBA pecking order.
With a few title contenders in mind, we're here to break down which team would represent the best fit for Allen's services come playoff time.
In order to compile the rankings, we considered a few factors that figure to influence Allen's choice.
First and foremost, each team's depth chart was examined to determine if adequate playing time would be available to Allen upon arrival. Finally, we analyzed the monetary aspect in addition to organizational culture and the chance each suitor has to capture a title with a quarter of the season complete.
7. Los Angeles Clippers
1 of 7
If Ray Allen wants to feel comfortable in his new surroundings, he could do much worse than signing on with the Los Angeles Clippers as a half-season rental.
According to the Orange County Register's Dan Woike, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers is intrigued by the possibility of adding Allen to a team that already ranks No. 2 overall in three-point shooting:
"Allen, who played for the Miami Heat last season, hasn’t officially retired. A report Saturday had him considering joining five teams – none of which was the Clippers.
Still, Rivers said he’s interested.
“I think in two or three weeks, he’ll start thinking about teams. I don’t think right know he is. I think he wants to get through the holidays,” he said of Allen’s process. “…I think he’s doing the right thing, honestly. He’s earned this right, to look at the teams and say, 'I fit here,' and jump if he wants to do that.”
"
With Rivers running the show, Allen could immediately step into the Clippers offense and feel comfortable with the schemes.
There are several issues with a potential reunion, though.
First, the Clippers are dangerously close to the salary-tax apron of $80.829 million. Signing Allen to even a minimum deal would push the team over that threshold with $80,040,744 currently on the books.
Second, L.A. isn't exactly desperate for another shooter. What the Clippers really need is a stout rotational wing defender who can provide relief when Matt Barnes gets into foul trouble.
With J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford a dependable duo at shooting guard and the team's cap sheet bloated, the Clippers' most viable avenue for improvement appears to be a midseason trade.
6. Washington Wizards
2 of 7
Six weeks ago, the Washington Wizards felt like a viable destination for Ray Allen. With Bradley Beal and Paul Pierce considered team's only sure things from beyond the arc, Allen could have functioned as a nice contingency plan if Randy Wittman's team fell on hard times.
However, the rapid emergence of Rasual Butler—who's shooting better than 52 percent from three—has shifted that narrative quite a bit.
Now that Butler has seemingly risen from the dead, Washington tops the league leaderboard in three-point shooting, making Allen nothing more than an afterthought for the burgeoning Wizards.
Consider that Washington also has eight players averaging more than 20 minutes per game, including second-year man Otto Porter, and there isn't much room for Allen to make an impact on the wing.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
3 of 7
Believe it or not, the Memphis Grizzlies have developed interest in Ray Allen, according to RealGM's Shams Charania. After starting the season 19-4, it would be curious if they didn't.
But is this a particularly logical fit, given the other offers Allen figures to be presented with?
For the second year in a row, the Grizzlies are scorching the net from three despite shooting the triple at a remarkably low rate. As of Sunday night, Memphis ranks third behind only the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers in conversion rate from deep (37.9 percent) while attempting a meager 15 shots per game from beyond the arc.
With so much of their offense predicated on action developing at or below the free-throw line, a bevy of three-points shooters isn't imperative to the success of Dave Joerger's system.
But even if it was, the Grizzlies might not be considered ideal suitors for Allen given the personnel they've targeted of late.
Not only has Courtney Lee's shooting been revelatory (55 percent from three), but Vince Carter was essentially brought on board to play the role of veteran marksman.
Factor in Mike Conley's pinpoint accuracy (44.9 percent from three) and the floor-stretching capabilities of Quincy Pondexter, and Memphis simply doesn't need to make a fuss over Allen's tired legs.
4. Chicago Bulls
4 of 7
The Chicago Bulls don't possess an embarrassment of riches on the wing, but they're not exactly strapped for three-point shooters.
Although rookie Doug McDermott is shooting just 23.1 percent from three and will be sidelined for four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery, Chicago still has the depth necessary to withstand some turbulence.
Fellow rookie Nikola Mirotic has been steady as a spot-up shooter from the right wing, Mike Dunleavy has been knocking down triples with aplomb and Jimmy Butler is now a versatile wizard, posting up and slashing into the paint to the tune of more than 20 points per game.
It doesn't hurt that Chicago's backup point guard platoon possesses two players in Kirk Hinrich and Aaron Brooks who are shooting better than 40 percent from three too.
With the Bulls clocking in among the league's top 15 three-point shooting clubs, Allen feels like more of a luxury than a necessity at this stage in the game.
However, with Butler and Derrick Rose continually knifing into the paint and freeing up easy catch-and-shoot attempts for wings, Allen could certainly provide a bit more stability in Chicago's crunch-time lineups.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
5 of 7
This is a tough one to peg. After all, the Cleveland Cavaliers looked like the most logical destination for Ray Allen after LeBron James jumped ship and inked a new deal with the Wine and Gold.
However, the Cavaliers are already replete with ancillary veteran options off the bench and have one of the league's most robust rotations.
Outside of James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson, head coach David Blatt also needs to dole out minutes to Dion Waiters, Shawn Marion and Matthew Dellavedova.
There's also the matter of finding roles for aging guns Mike Miller and James Jones, who are averaging 12.2 and 9.1 minutes per game respectively.
As The Washington Post's Neil Greenberg wrote last month, "the challenge to adding Allen is if there is enough touches to go around. Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving have both seen their usage decline, making us left to wonder how much Allen would be involved in the offense."
Although Allen can remain plenty effective cutting and shimmying around the floor without the ball, Greenberg's point is a prescient one.
Allen would undoubtedly be welcomed with open arms in Cleveland, but finding adequate minutes with a glut of options already stationed at both wing positions could mitigate his effectiveness.
2. Golden State Warriors
6 of 7
Here's where things get really interesting.
While it may have been considered a pipe dream a few months ago, the Golden State Warriors are firmly entrenched as contenders for Ray Allen's services thanks to a blistering start.
With a three-point shooting brain trust that already includes Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and head coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors aren't exactly pining for more floor spacing.
But who said there was ever anything wrong with stacking the deck and making life exponentially more miserable for opposing defenses?
Receiving more than a quarter of their total points via the three, according to TeamRankings.com, the Warriors have tormented opponents from beyond the arc. To date, four Warriors players (Curry, Thompson, Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green) are knocking down at least 35 percent of their threes.
However, as is the case with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State would need to carve a niche out for Allen in order to justify his commitment. Because with Curry, Shaun Livingston, Thompson and Leandro Barbosa, the Warriors aren't exactly short on shot-creators.
That said, there is one quality that distinguishes the Warriors from other suitors.
With so much depth on the wing, Golden State has become the league's most versatile when you consider the sheer quantity of five-man combinations it can throw at opponents.
Case in point: The Warriors' undersized lineup featuring Curry, Thompson, Barnes, Andre Iguodala and Green is Golden State's top five-man unit in terms of net points per 100 possessions (plus-65.7), according to Basketball-Reference.com.
While other teams may sacrifice defensive efficiency by inserting Allen on the wing, the Warriors are one of the few clubs that can afford to allot him spot minutes and not feel vulnerable.
1. San Antonio Spurs
7 of 7
Assuming Ray Allen is angling for a third ring, he would be wise to hedge his bets and bolt for the San Antonio Spurs.
The defending champions may still be having nightmares about Allen's three from the right corner in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals, but his addition could put San Antonio over the top as it seeks to equal the Golden State Warriors' firepower.
But outside of the chance at acquiring a bit more bling, Allen could pad his 401(k) by signing with the Spurs. While most teams are limited to offering the veteran minimum, The Washington Post's Neil Greenberg notes the Spurs have plenty of cash to play with if they choose to pursue Allen:
"Plus, the Spurs still have their full mid-level exception available, which means they can offer Allen more money than any of the other suitors. The Cavaliers, for example, can only offer the veteran’s minimum while San Antonio can offer up to $5.3 million. And that could be the tipping point.
"
Considering the Spurs are already distributive savants, Allen would have no trouble finding open looks working off of back screens or as a spot-up sniper from the corners.
With San Antonio looking like the most appealing destination based on opportunity, organizational stability and dollar signs, Allen would be wise to pencil in the Spurs atop his wish list.
