NBA Trade Rumors and Scenarios: 10 Teams That Could Use Ray Allen
The “Boston Three Party’s” era of domination in the Eastern Conference appears to be coming to a screeching halt.
It may be time to start moving some key pieces from the team, it hopes that it can work toward the future.
The Boston Globe and others have suggested that Ray Allen could be someone that would be worth moving. The 35-year-old sharpshooter could be a valuable asset to many teams.
The following are the 10 teams that could use Ray Allen.
Boston Celtics
1 of 10
I am not sure it would be worth it for the Celtics to let Ray Allen go. If they can get some new younger pieces to put around their older core, then their championship window could still be open.
Allen is still one of the best shooters in the NBA, and it will be almost impossible to get a replacement better than him during the offseason.
Celtics fans were not happy when Kendrick Perkins was traded, and they will probably be even more outraged to see Allen go.
Moving the shooter would cause more bad than good.
Chicago Bulls
2 of 10
This is the obvious team on the list.
The Bulls are desperate for a shooting guard. Their current starter is Keith Bogans, a decent bench player, but he has no business being in a starting lineup.
Ray Allen would make the Bulls a lot better. Their only current scoring guard is Derrick Rose. Allen would probably be the second leading scorer on the team.
If Allen goes on the market this offseason, expect Chicago to be the first team to make a call.
Dallas Mavericks
3 of 10
If the Mavericks are weak at any position, then it is the 2-guard. Jason Terry is a solid player, but he is better suited coming off the bench.
I can think of no better way to bolster Dallas’s already strong roster than adding a shooting guard like Ray Allen. Likewise, I can not think of a team that fits Allen better than the Mavs.
They are extremely deep, so they would be able to give Allen sufficient rest. They are also title contenders right now.
Coming to Dallas would give Allen one last chance to win another ring.
Indiana Pacers
4 of 10
The Pacers are a second-tier team in the Eastern Conference. However, they might just be one player away from becoming a serious contender.
With Ray Allen, Danny Granger and Darren Collison, the Pacers have a decent core. Throw in role players like Roy Hibbert and Tyler Hansbrough, and you have a decent team in Indiana.
I doubt that this is where Ray Allen would like to be shipped, but it would make plenty of sense.
New Jersey Nets
5 of 10
The Nets have acquired Deron Williams, now it is time to give him some pieces to work with. The team is relatively weak at every position but point guard and center right now.
Ray Allen is better than any player on the Nets not named Deron Williams right now, so he would easily be an instant improvement. An instant improvement is exactly what they need too.
Williams has not signed an extension with the team yet. He is waiting to see if it will be worth it.
It is time to show D-Will.
New York Knicks
6 of 10
The Knicks have their two superstars, Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, so now they need to build a team around them.
Ray Allen gives the Knicks are reliable veteran who can spread the floor with his great outside shooting.
Amar’e and Melo have big egos, and it will be tough for the two to survive together. The Knicks could use some character guys to be leaders on this squad.
With both Chauncey Billups and Allen, this crazy combination in New York just might work out.
Oklahoma City Thunder
7 of 10
The only noticeable weakness Oklahoma City has is their lack of experience. Their averaged team age is just 23.4 years old.
Ray Allen has been around the block a few times and would be a true veteran leader for the young Thunder. He will play a role similar to that of Shane Battier in Memphis.
Allen also helps Oklahoma City remedy their inconsistency from beyond the arch. The Thunder are a below-average team from deep and could use a consistent shooter like Allen.
Orlando Magic
8 of 10
Jason Richardson is expected to leave the Orlando Magic this offseason, so they should be looking for a shooting guard.
If Allen is available, Orlando would be a very possible destination for the guard.
As long as the Magic have Dwight Howard, they will always be contenders out East. They just need to find players that can play roles.
Allen knows how to win a championship and would provide the Magic with the winning attitude that the Celtics have had for years.
Phoenix Suns
9 of 10
With Marcin Gortat at center, the Suns are no longer an embarrassment in the paint. It is tough to believe, but it is true.
The Suns are just a big time scorer away from being contenders again. Ray Allen might be able to give the Suns one last chance to win in the Steve Nash era.
Allen is the type of player that historically thrives in the desert. He is an older player that can still run and loves to shoot the deep ball.
A backcourt of Steve Nash and Ray Allen would be awesome to watch, even if their combined age is 72.
Utah Jazz
10 of 10
Even after trading point guard Deron Williams, the Jazz are a decent team. And with Ray Allen, they might even be good enough to get back in the postseason.
I cannot remember the Jazz ever having a shooting guard that was a big-time scoring weapon. Ray Allen would be something totally new for the team.
With players like Al Jefferson and Devin Harris, the Jazz do not need to blow up their team just yet. Pick up a player like Allen and see if you can survive in the post D-Will era.
