The Miami Heat are expected to sit down with Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen today as he continues to weigh his options in this year’s free agency pool. Allen is considering offers from the Heat, Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers.
According to the Miami Herald, the Celtics have reportedly offered Allen $12 million over two years. But with their recent addition of former 6th man of the year Jason Terry, along with the emergence of Avery Bradley as a lockdown defender, the Celtics backcourt has become a bit crowded.
The Heat can offer Allen no more than the $3.1 million over three years through the NBA’s complicated mini-mid level exception. The Heat are already above the luxury tax, therefore they aren’t allotted the full $5 million per year that the mid-level exception allows.
Allen’s decision may come down to playing time above all else. By signing with Miami he would be the backup to Dwyane Wade, and even play beside him in the backcourt. If he goes to the Clippers he could start beside Chris Paul.
At this point it seems that only Allen knows what he will do, as Celtics coach Doc Rivers didn’t sound too confident when asked if Allen would return.
“I don’t know. We’re working hard,” Rivers said. “He has a lot of options and that’s the bad news for us. It’ll be interesting. I wish I had a feel on it. Usually, I do. But I can tell you on this one, I don’t.”
