Ray Allen has reportedly informed the handful of teams still vying for his services he won’t be signing with any team before January.
The 39-year-old veteran sharpshooter remains a free agent and has reportedly attracted attention from such playoff bound teams as the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies.
The Cavs and LeBron James have often been seen as the top choices to land Allen, especially since they won a championship together in Miami. However, Allen recently stirred up excitement in Chicago when he was seen around the city and was said to have met with key team officials about possibly joining the Bulls.
“I believe part of it is” because he wants to be with his family and save his body for the end of the season and the playoffs,” BasketballInsiders.com’s Alex Kennedy recently said about Allen’s cautious approach to his decision. “A significant reason is that he wants to make sure he’s joining a team that has a real shot at winning a championship.”
A ten-time All-Star, Allen is the NBA’s all-time leader in both three-point field goals made and attempted during the regular season. He also rates as the league’s all-time leader in made three pointers for the post season.
In addition to the title he won with James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in South Beach, Allen was also a central character in the Boston Celtics’ Big 3 that also included Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. The trio earned a title together in 2008.
Allen secured his folklore status in 1998 by starring as Jesus Shuttlesworth alongside Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s iconic, cult film He Got Game.
Allen has averaged at least 21 point nine times in his career, with his best season coming with the Seattle supersonics in 2007-08 when he averaged 26.4 points and 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
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