Former All-Star shooting guard Ray Allen has had conversations with the Celtics and Bucks as he contemplates an NBA comeback at age 41, writes Dom Amore of The Hartford Courant. Both teams have a special significance for Allen, who won an NBA title with Boston in 2008 and broke into the league with Milwaukee in 1996.
“I would love going back to those places if it worked out,” Allen said, “because both teams are good, too. It doesn’t necessarily have to be championship-or-bust for me to go back to the NBA. I want to be in a situation where I thought I could help, play a little bit and help where they have good young talent.”
Allen hasn’t played in the league since 2013/14, when he appeared in 73 games for Miami, mostly as a reserve. He said he has started going through intense workouts to prepare him for NBA competition and has felt “great” afterward.
After winning titles with the Celtics and Heat, there has been speculation that Allen may want to join the defending champion Cavaliers or the runner-up Warriors to give himself the best shot at another ring. The Spurs and Clippers have also been mentioned as possible destinations, and Allen said Knicks’ super-fan Spike Lee has been texting him about coming to New York.
Allen made it clear that a return to the league is not definite and said he will make a decision by the time training camps open late next month. His choice will be based on finding the right franchise and the right role.
“My decision is predicated on what is available,” he said. “I said that I was interested because I never retired for a reason. I’ve been watching, seeing what teams have been doing and I’ve been waiting to see if the opportunity presented itself where I think I could fit.”
I would love for him to come back to Boston. I know most fans still feel betrayed by him because he left for Miami, but I liked him so much when he did play here I would be willing to let the past stay in the past to see him in a Celtics uni again.
agreed
It would be wise for Hammond and Kidd to bring Allen back to the Bucks to finish his career. On a team that sorely needs veteran leadership Allen would definitely fill that void. One of the darkest days in franchise history was trading him for an ornery Gary Payton and a one dimensional Desmond Mason. Do this Bucks!
Best fits are the Bucks, Cavs, and Clips
The dubs are also a good fit because the best three point shooters in history on the same team
He should finish his career where it started. He is a perfect fit for a team that needs shooting, he can be a great mentor for all the kids and like Garnett in Minnesota, can move into a coaching or front office job when he retires. If he just wants another championship gs or Cleveland but if he thinks future career Milwaukee.
Celtics could use a shooting coach
As a coach I think he’d be an asset, but as a forty one year old player, and the worst defender I’ve seen in my 50 years of watching the NBA, I wouldn’t touch him. A great guy for sure, quality individual, but no.