Ray Allen has been considering his options as a free agent for months now. According to Sports World Report, the 39-year-old basketball player was merely watching the NBA season to unfold before him.
The 18-year veteran is reportedly being recruited by LeBron James, but it looks like he will have to snub James's efforts and let everyone wait until the All-Star break is over. Plus, the rumor mill says that no matter how much James tries to convince him to join the Cavaliers, he might end up choosing the Hawks.
Allen was last seen in last year's NBA Finals when the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Miami Heat. When he did not return to the league, many immediately assumed that he just wanted to skip training camp. Apparently, the truth was that he was just waiting to see which particular team has a legit chance to win the title before he signs a contract.
ESPN says that he has been in contact with various teams, and might even meet with some during the upcoming All-Star weekend. A lot of teams have been vying for Allen's attention, in the hopes of officially signing him, such as, the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and, recently, the Atlanta Hawks.
"The Hawks have had discussions with representatives for free agent Ray Allen," said Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "But, nothing is imminent, according to a person familiar with the discussions."
The Hawks are currently on top of the Eastern Conference standings. They will be looking at all the possibilities for their team to have an inevitable postseason run. Fan Sided says that the fact that they do not really need Allen's skills on board, yet they want to take him on, is something opposing teams should prepare for.
The Cavs are still considered by many as the most likely destination for the veteran guard, especially since majority of Allen's former teammates are on the roster. James has reportedly been working so hard to convince Allen to sign on, while Mike Miller and James Jones have also been talking to Allen about a return. The team has even left a spot on the roster open.
The possibility of Allen signing with the Hawks would be playing into the idea that he really was holding out in order to figure out which is the best team in the league, but he is still also willing to overlook where his best suit will be, which is reportedly with the Cavs.
