Allen has been leaning towards retirement all year…
Former Miami Heat and Boston Celtics star Ray Allen could stay retired instead of making a return to the NBA for a playoff run with a team this season.
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The likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs have all been linked with an interest in Allen who showed last year that he can still play a key role off the bench.
LeBron James’ move back to Cleveland ensured that he didn’t opt to stay on with the Heat, but after two successful seasons at the AA Arena, he will have been pleased with the level of his play.
Nevertheless, the 39-year-old has been leaning towards retirement all year after insisting that he wanted to spend more time with his family and enjoy life away from basketball more, and with two championship rings to his name some would argue that it is the right decision.
Although he remains in shape and is reportedly ready to play if he decides to return, the consensus for now is that he is comfortable with his life without the stress of an NBA schedule added to it.
“Among numerous NBA executives with an interest in signing free-agent guard Ray Allen, there’s a growing belief that Allen will not play in the league this season,” league sources told Yahoo Sports.
“Allen still hasn’t delivered word through his agent Jim Tanner that he wants to play – never mind begin the process of choosing a team.”
If LeBron had chosen to stay in Miami and given that Allen still resides there, he would undoubtedly have joined him for another championship run.
The Cavs have been considered the favourites to secure his signature, but leaving his family and a warm-weather climate behind are two significant factors in the veteran’s thinking and it may well be the right time to call it a day.
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