We should know by next weekend whether Ray Allen will be playing NBA basketball this spring.
Allen, currently a free agent, plans to decide by the All-Star break whether to sign with a new team, sources told ESPN.com’s Brian Windhorst on Monday.
At least a half-dozen teams are interested in bringing on the veteran guard, per Windhorst, including the Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks are the latest entry into the fray, reportedly reaching out to Allen’s camp last week. Atlanta, owner of the NBA’s best record, has a hole to fill on the wing after losing Thabo Sefalosha to a calf injury.
This need, plus the Hawks’ affinity for 3-point shooting, makes Atlanta a more desirable destination than Cleveland, Windhorst said, despite the fact that the Cavs currently employ three of Allen’s former Heat teammates in LeBron James, James Jones and Mike Miller.
Allen, who’s won NBA championships with both the Heat and Boston Celtics, has yet to play in an NBA game this season. He appeared in 76 for Miami last season, averaging a career-low 9.6 points per game and shooting 44.2 percent from the floor — his lowest mark since 2004-05.
Thumbnail photo via Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports Images
