Less than a week away from becoming a free agent, Miami Heat guard Ray Allen has decided to bypass a potentially longer, more lucrative contract with another team and return to the two-time defending NBA champions.
Allen’s agent, Jim Tanner, confirmed to multiple news sources that the 37-year-old sharpshooter will exercise his player option and play out the final year of his two-year contract, earning $3.2 million for the 2013-14 season. Allen had until Saturday to make the decision between returning and pursuing free agency.
Miami Heat president Pat Riley said earlier this week that he wants to keep the championship team together and thought Allen will “make the right decision.”
Allen left the Boston Celtics last summer to take his talents — and a smaller contract — to South Beach in hopes of winning a second career NBA championship. The plan came to fruition for the all-time leader in 3-pointers made, and it appears that he wants to continue the ride.
The 10-time NBA All-Star averaged 10.9 points per game in his only season with the Heat and hit arguably one of the biggest shots of his career during the final seconds of Game 6 of the NBA Finals, all but reviving the Heat’s playoff life.
Although it is unclear how big of a role Allen will serve in the Heat’s rotation next season, it is clear that he is willing to set aside all personal desires for a shot at his third NBA championship.
