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.