Washington Wizards: Could Ray Allen Be A Possibility?

The Washington Wizards received devastating news this weekend. Up-and-coming shooting guard Bradley Beal suffered a fractured left wrist in the Wizards exhibition game Friday against the Charlotte Hornets. The third-year guard is supposed to miss six to eight weeks, meaning the Wizards will be thin at the shooting guard position for a portion of the season.

Apr 27, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles as Chicago Bulls shooting guard Jimmy Butler (21) defends during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

To help with the depth problem at the 2-guard position the Wizards are trying to lure in free agent and future Hall of Famer Ray Allen.

Allen played last season with the Miami Heat and averaged 9.6 points per game on 37.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc. For his career, Allen has averaged 18.9 points per game on 40 percent 3-point shooting.

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The consensus is that Allen is going to play his hand as long as possible in regards to free agency. He is a 39-year-old who has a relentless work ethic and has no interest whatsoever in participating in preseason basketball. He might even sit out some of the regular season until he feels it is right for him to sign with a team.

The Wizards are one of those teams that has been in contact with Allen and his agent. J. Michael of CSN Washington says the Wizards are among six teams who have contacted Allen, but he is not ready to decide where he will play his 19th year in the league.

"Coincidentally, I talked with a person close to him Friday who told me nothing has changed. The Wizards have contacted Allen’s representatives at Tandem Sports and Entertainment several times, both reported here."

Michael says with Beal being out he could see the chance of Allen signing with the Wizards being slimmer than pre-injury because at 40, Allen most likely does not want the role of a starter wherever he lands.

However, I would not completely rule it out. For one, Beal is only going to miss around 20-25 games and depending on when Allen were to sign with the Wizards, he wouldn’t have to be the starter for long, if at all.

Glen Rice Jr. is projected to fill in for Beal and I think he is going to fit in nicely. He is a super athletic wing who can score in different ways, has improved his outside shot and is probably more versatile of an all-around player than Beal.

Oct 12, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) talks to Wizards guard Glen Rice Jr. (14) on the court against the Detroit Pistons in the second quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 91-89. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

So if Rice Jr. were to play well, Allen could come off the bench for the Wizards and not be relied on as heavy.

Secondly, Allen would be teaming back up with Paul Pierce. Pierce and Allen won an NBA title together in Boston back in 2008 and while there may have been bad blood when Allen jumped ship to join the Heat in 2012-13, I think most of that has blown over with Pierce (maybe not KG).

Playing with a guy that helped bring Allen his first NBA title could be an appealing factor when it comes down to making a decision about where to play this year.

The biggest reason why this is a long-shot is because the Wizards aren’t title contenders. Teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, and Cleveland Cavaliers, are all also showing interest in Allen and are all also contenders for the title this year. The Wizards simply are not. I am sure winning a third NBA title is high on the list of priorities for Allen when he makes a decision.

But weird things happen in the NBA and Allen would provide much needed shooting for the Wizards while filling in for some of the Beal void early on.

Ray Allen to the Wizards is certainly a possibility, but I wouldn’t bank on it happening.

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