Will The Miami Heat Get Ray Allen After All-Star Weekend?

By Christopher Cruz | Feb 13, 2015

Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Miami Heat guard Ray Allen (34) drives against San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) in game five of the 2014 NBA Finals at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

After All-Star weekend, there is a possibility that Ray Allen signs with the Miami Heat. From where it stands right now, statistically, the chances seem slim.

I only say that because there are so many teams lobbying for him to play with them right now. There are too many teams out there that could use a specialist who can stand out on the three-point line and shoot. Some of these teams include the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Golden State Warriors, the San Antonio Spurs, the Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat, among others.

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Miami definitely has its work cut out for them, but there is still a chance for it to work out. It would make sense for him to go to one of the contenders that I listed above; he’s old. He would be entering his 19th season in the NBA, and is 39 years old. By season’s end, he would be really close to turning 40.

At that age, guys are usually looking to end their careers off with a bang, something they can hang their hat on. Players in the twilight of their career — and Allen has certainly passed the twilight — are just looking for that cherry on top.

So what is Allen looking for?

Is he looking for a championship? Possibly. Keep in mind, he’s already won two, so if he were just to retire right now, his resume would be fine, at least in terms of an all-time discussion. His legacy is sealed, and he is the best shooter of all-time. But maybe that isn’t what he is looking for, ultimately. To clarify, what I’m not saying is that Allen wouldn’t be playing for a championship. Everybody is playing for a championship. But I think the end game for Allen is competition.

If you were to examine what a trip back to the league looks like for most of the teams that I listed, they probably mean him coming off the bench and playing limited minutes. That is the truth. Allen would give up a lot on defense, something these teams cannot afford to give up very long during the game.

All of these teams have key reserves coming off the bench. Even when you look to Cleveland, who seems to be the frontrunner for the Ray Allen sweepstakes, you’d see a cramped lineup with a host of swingmen who shoot from long distance. Since getting J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, the Cavaliers don’t really need Allen.

That brings us to Miami. Right now, Miami has the capability to get into the playoffs and lock up a spot, if they are able to finish well. Right now, what they need is another scoring guard who can put up points. Basically, someone who can compete while Dwyane Wade is out.

Allen would definitely get opportunities to compete on this team. He already knows their system, after having played with the team for the past two seasons and winning championships with them. His family already lives in South Florida. Plus, the Heat have a gem in Hassan Whiteside.

That means that the Heat would be able to put out Wade, Allen, Deng, Bosh and Whiteside out on the court, along with some other role players like Chris Andersen, Mario Chalmers and Shabazz Napier. Miami would have a team that can compete come playoff time.

It’s not a team that anybody wants to play in the first round.

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