South Beach Bound: Ray Allen Spurns Celtics, Will Sign With Heat

Ray Allen Signs With Heat, Celtics Wonder What's Next

Free-agent guard Ray Allen was drawing interest from a handful of teams in free agency but had his choices seemingly limited to returning to the Boston Celtics or moving on to South Beach to play for the NBA champion Miami Heat. Allen was reportedly torn on the decision between the two teams, but late Friday night decided to make the movie to Miami.

With Allen leaving Boston, the Celtics are left wondering where they have to go from there, Jeff Clark of CelticsBlog explains:

As others have pointed out, Ray leaving hurts, but it also makes it a lot easier to fill out our bench. In a sense, Terry replaces Ray Allen and now we'll have the money to bring back the rest of the bench. It also increases the odds that we'll overpay for Jeff Green but we'll just have to wait until we see the final numbers on that before we judge. Also, this might open the door for Danny Ainge to get creative and swing some kind of trade.

Allen's defection to Miami has of course caused many Celtics fans to cry out about betrayal and loyalty, but the problem there is that Boston as a franchise hasn't shown much loyalty to Allen either. Allen has been dangled at the trade deadline the past two seasons as Ian Thomsen of SI.com points out.

There is nothing hypocritical about Allen's decision to switch sides in the East's best rivalry. Allen has spent the last several midseason trading deadlines dealing with rumors that Boston would move him, and last March he was told that he had been sent to Memphis before the trade was rescinded.

For more on the Miami Heat and Ray Allen, visit SB Nation's Heat blog Peninsula Is Mightier and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

Ray Allen To Sign With Heat, Tweets Owner Micky Arison

Free agent guard Ray Allen was torn between signing with the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. Allen was finally able to come to a decision even after leaving Miami with a contract. According to Heat owner Micky Arison, Jesus Shuttlesworth will be bringing his talents to South Beach.

Its 2:30am in London and I was just woken up with great news.Welcome to the family #20!!

— Micky Arison (@MickyArison) July 7, 2012

Allen will be entering his 17th season in the NBA, spending the past five seasons with the Boston Celtics after being acquired in a trade with the then Seattle SuperSonics. The Heat were looking for another three-point shooter to replace Mike Miller, and Ray Allen was looking to try and add another ring towards the end of his career.

For more on the Miami Heat and Ray Allen, visit SB Nation's Heat blog Peninsula Is Mightier and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

Ray Allen Torn Between Heat And Celtics, According To Report

A number of high profile free agents have signed around the NBA, but Celitcs guard Ray Allen remains on the fence, and the Miami Heat are still Boston's stiffest competition. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Allen met with the Miami Heat Thursday night, but walked away without committing to sign next week.

Miami offered Allen their mid-level exception, but at a little over $3 million, it's only half of what the Celtics can offer. For now Windhorst's sources say that Allen is torn between the two offers, and Miami could still offer more money later in the process.

That he's even considering Miami's offer speaks volumes. Both teams have recruited Allen hard, but after rumors of discord between Allen and Rajon Rondo last season and Jason Terry emerging as a potential replacement in Boston, there are certainly signs that Allen could be on the way out of Boston. Whether that means Miami or potentially Minnesota is anyone's guess, but it's a serious possibly.

On the other hand, Allen rejuvenated his career in Boston, won a title with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce as sidekicks, so perhaps loyalty wins out in the end. For now, the last best player on the market is unsigned, two of the best teams in the NBA are pursuing him hardest of all, and only Ray Allen, himself, can say what happens next. So, we wait.

Ray Allen Rumors: Timberwolves Considered 'Dark Horse,' According To Report

The Ray Allen sweepstakes may have an unexpected suitor. The Minnesota Timberwolves are apparently a "dark horse" behind the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, according to ESPN's Ric Bucher. The question is whether the Timberwolves can actually legally make Allen an offer.

As ESPN's John Hollinger notes, the Timberwolves already need to create some cap room to fit in Brandon Roy and an offer sheet for Nicolas Batum. Allen could theoretically wait to make his decision until after the Portland Trail Blazers match the offer sheet for Batum, but that seems unlikely. It'll certainly require a lot of creativity to make Allen a legal offer.

The Timberwolves badly need upgrades on the wings regardless, and Allen would provide one for a team that is shooting for big things next season. He would likely start, with Roy coming off the bench. However, it appears unlikely that he will consider the Timberwolves over both the Heat and Celtics.

For more on the Timberwolves, visit Canis Hoopus and SB Nation Minnesota.

Ray Allen Rumors: Celtics May Offer Him No-Trade Clause, According To Report

The Boston Celtics have not given up their pursuit of free-agent guard Ray Allen. Despite recent reports that his top two choices are the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers, the Celtics are in the picture, offering a two-year contract worth $12 million. To improve their offer, there's talk of the Celtics throwing in a no-trade clause or at least a trade kicker, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.

A full no-trade clause is very rare in the NBA, with only Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki possessing them. A trade kicker, which tacks on a salary jump in the event that a player is dealt, is slightly more common, though it's become less common since the lockout. The Celtics are willing to go to these steps because they believe Allen's skills are complimentary to newcomer Jason Terry's, according to Bulpett.

The Clippers could offer Allen the full mid-level exception, while the Heat are limited to offering him a three-year, $9 million deal.

For more on the Clippers and the Heat, check out the SB Nation blogs Clips Nation and Peninsula Is Mightier. For more on Allen's negotiations with the Celtics, head over to CelticsBlog.

Ray Allen To Choose Between Heat, Clippers, According To Report

It looks like Ray Allen will indeed be on a new team next season. While the Boston Celtics remain a possibility, Allen's top two choices are the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

The two teams are offering different contracts to try to get something done. The Heat can only offer the mini-mid level exception of three years and $9 million, while the Clippers have the full mid-level exception to offer. The Celtics have reportedly offered Allen a two-year, $12 million deal, but Windhorst notes that the emergence of Avery Bradley and the recent signing of Jason Terry will likely push Allen out of town.

Allen is being heavily recruited by LeBron James and Chris Paul, reports Windhorst. It will be interesting to see which superstar wins the recruiting battle for Allen's services.

For more on the Clippers and the Heat, check out the SB Nation blogs Clips Nation and Peninsula Is Mightier. For more on Allen's negotiations with the Celtics, head over to CelticsBlog.

Ray Allen Set To Visit Heat, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade Excited

Dwyane Wade took to Twitter on Wednesday to proclaim that Thursday will be a big day for the Miami Heat.

2morrow is a big day for #HeatNation..

— Dwyane Wade (@DwyaneWade) July 4, 2012

Shortly thereafter, LeBron James agreed.

RT @DwyaneWade: 2morrow is a big day for #HeatNation..(Absolutely!! #HeatNation Stand Up

— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 4, 2012

What were Wade and James looking forward to? That would be the visit of free agent shooting guard Ray Allen. The 36-year-old Allen will visit Miami Thursday before heading to visit the Clippers on Friday. Miami can offer Allen their mini mid-level exception, worth just over $3 million per season, while the Clippers can offer their full mid-level exception, starting at $5 million per year. The Boston Celtics are also interested in retaining Allen's services, and have reportedly offered the guard a two-year deal worth $12 million.

Allen averaged 14.2 points per game last season while battling an ankle injury. It was the second-lowest scoring average of his 16 NBA seasons, but he shot a career-best 45.3 percent on 3-point attempts.

Check out Peninsula Is Mightier for more Heat news.

NBA Free Agency: Ray Allen To Visit Miami Heat, Then The Clippers

The Boston Celtics are hoping to keep their team intact, but that job is shaping up to be tougher than it initially looked. The team was able to lock up Kevin Garnett early in NBA free agency, but Boston's being forced to wait with Ray Allen.

Allen has options and, according to NBA.com's David Aldridge, he's weighing them thoroughly before making a decision.

The 36-year-old free-agent guard will visit the Miami Heat on Thursday and the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, according to a source, and listen to their pitches. The Heat can only offer Allen their mini mid-level exception that starts at $3.09 million next season, the same exception Miami used last year to sign free-agent forward Shane Battier. The Clippers have their full mid-level available at $5 million. Boston has offered Allen a two-year deal for $12 million.

Aldridge further reports that Allen also had conference calls with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, but the veteran sharpshooter currently has no plans to meet with them.

For more on the Celtics, visit CelticsBlog and SB Nation Boston.

NBA Rumors: Grizzlies To Bid On Ray Allen

The Memphis Grizzlies will attempt to woo Ray Allen when free agency begins Sunday, reports Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal. The Grizzlies will reportedly offer Allen their full mid-level exception worth $5 million per season.

Allen, who has been with the Boston Celtics since the 2007-08 season, is an unrestricted free agent. At 36, he's the league's all-time leader in three-pointers made. Even in an injury-plagued 2011-12 season he hit more than 100 threes for the 13th consecutive season and shot 45 percent from behind the arc.

Boston, which reportedly locked up Kevin Garnett ahead of free agency, is believed to be interested in bringing Allen back, though for less money. Allen has also been linked to the Miami Heat, who knocked the C's out in the East finals on their way to the championship this season.

Allen will turn 37 in July. He's logged 48,000 minutes in the NBA, including the playoffs, over 15 seasons.

For more on the Grizzlies, please visit Straight Outta Vancouver.

NBA Free Agency Rumors: Ray Allen Interested In Signing With Heat, Clippers

Ray Allen is reportedly interested in signing with either the Miami Heat or the Los Angeles Clippers if he does not re-sign with the Boston Celtics. The New York Knicks are also a potential landing spot.