Source: Ray Allen Likely Signs With Miami

[rondohondo]

The general consensus around the NBA is that Ray Allen will sign with Miami. “Barring a change, he’ll join the Heat,” said a league source.

via Alex Kennedy via Twitter

http://www.hoopsworld.com/daily-nba-news

I know everyone keeps saying he's going to Miami, but if the c's offer the same 3 mil a year contract(even if it's for one less year) Ray will come back to Boston IMO.

Does he really need a ring that bad that he would go to the c's biggest rival and jump on the bandwagon ?  We can beat Miami if we just add a few pieces (rebounding, shot blocking/controlling the paint). I will be really irked if Ray leaves for the same money, I just can't see it happening.

[Snakehead]

Yeah I'd be bothered by this too.  And by Ray's apparent unwillingness to come off the bench when it benefits the team.

Still love the guy but it'd be damaging to my opinion of him.  Him being a stick in the mud this year bothered me enough given how hard and well Avery played for us and the team's obvious turn around.  All that matters is winning, you don't see a guy like Manu complain about coming off the bench and he's in there at crunch time, just like Ray would be.

[cman88]

If kg comes back and ray still jumps ship to miami I will lose ALOT of respect for him

He'd basically be saying to pierce and kg "sorry I feel like getting a ring the easy way have fun"

[cman88]

Not to mention he hated coming off the bench for the cs but would be ok with it for miami? I would be less p---ed if he joined the bulls...because at least you could say he wanted to start

[Snakehead]

Not to mention he hated coming off the bench for the cs but would be ok with it for miami? I would be less p---ed if he joined the bulls...because at least you could say he wanted to start

This is also a good point.

[Roy H.]

Maybe Ray wants to feel wanted. 

According to reports, the Heat have apparently been after him for awhile now, while the Celtics have been kind of lukewarm about his return.  That, coupled with the various trade rumors and the benching, might leave Ray feeling less than desired.

[Rondo2287]

Maybe Ray wants to feel wanted. 

According to reports, the Heat have apparently been after him for awhile now, while the Celtics have been kind of lukewarm about his return.  That, coupled with the various trade rumors and the benching, might leave Ray feeling less than desired.

I agree, I think Ray was very mad about the benching but was too much of a professional to make it public.  Ray has been a phenomenal player all of his career and Im sure there is a pride factor at play here. (which isnt a bad thing, Ray deserves to feel wanted by a team)

Honestly, it word hurt to see Ray in a heat uniform, but the dude has been a classs act his entire career, if he thinks this is best route for him I respect that.  Just like when Pedro left the sox strictly for the money, if Ray is leaving strictly for playing time/to feel like he is wanted and will be an integral part, I got no beef with that.

[Shoot the J]

Not to mention he hated coming off the bench for the cs but would be ok with it for miami? I would be less p---ed if he joined the bulls...because at least you could say he wanted to start

I was wondering the same thing. Where exactly does he fit into the starting rotation for Miami?

I have to believe that the phone call to tell him to pack his bags, followed by the phone call to tell him "just kidding" may have soured the old put the team first mentality. Like someone else said, he wants to be wanted.

[rondohondo]

Maybe Ray wants to feel wanted. 

According to reports, the Heat have apparently been after him for awhile now, while the Celtics have been kind of lukewarm about his return.  That, coupled with the various trade rumors and the benching, might leave Ray feeling less than desired.

I agree, I think Ray was very mad about the benching but was too much of a professional to make it public.  Ray has been a phenomenal player all of his career and Im sure there is a pride factor at play here. (which isnt a bad thing, Ray deserves to feel wanted by a team)

Honestly, it word hurt to see Ray in a heat uniform, but the dude has been a classs act his entire career, if he thinks this is best route for him I respect that.  Just like when Pedro left the sox strictly for the money, if Ray is leaving strictly for playing time/to feel like he is wanted and will be an integral part, I got no beef with that.

I disagree, here is a quote from Ray from last summer when there was talk of starting Jeff Green

On the possibility of coming off the bench next season:

“To me, however I can help the team, it’ll figure itself out. One thing in regards to Jeff is, whatever I can do to make him better and to push him and play the best that he can. It’s weird that guys have always looked at it like coming off the bench is such a bad thing. I know we went through the situation with [Allen] Iverson, he didn’t want to come off the bench. But, you’ve always worried more about who finished games, but more importantly, when you’re on a winning team, winning the game is the ultimate objective, so that’s my primary concern. I want to win.

Rondo , PP and KG were all mentioned in trade rumors too, it the nature of the business. I don't think Ray holds grudges like that or else he wouldn't have resigned 2 years ago after he was almost traded for Kevin Martin.

[Rondo2287]

Maybe Ray wants to feel wanted. 

According to reports, the Heat have apparently been after him for awhile now, while the Celtics have been kind of lukewarm about his return.  That, coupled with the various trade rumors and the benching, might leave Ray feeling less than desired.

I agree, I think Ray was very mad about the benching but was too much of a professional to make it public.  Ray has been a phenomenal player all of his career and Im sure there is a pride factor at play here. (which isnt a bad thing, Ray deserves to feel wanted by a team)

Honestly, it word hurt to see Ray in a heat uniform, but the dude has been a classs act his entire career, if he thinks this is best route for him I respect that.  Just like when Pedro left the sox strictly for the money, if Ray is leaving strictly for playing time/to feel like he is wanted and will be an integral part, I got no beef with that.

I disagree, here is a quote from Ray from last summer when there was talk of starting Jeff Green

On the possibility of coming off the bench next season:

“To me, however I can help the team, it’ll figure itself out. One thing in regards to Jeff is, whatever I can do to make him better and to push him and play the best that he can. It’s weird that guys have always looked at it like coming off the bench is such a bad thing. I know we went through the situation with [Allen] Iverson, he didn’t want to come off the bench. But, you’ve always worried more about who finished games, but more importantly, when you’re on a winning team, winning the game is the ultimate objective, so that’s my primary concern. I want to win.

Rondo , PP and KG were all mentioned in trade rumors too, it the nature of the business. I don't think Ray holds grudges like that or else he wouldn't have resigned 2 years ago after he was almost traded for Kevin Martin.

But did either KG or PP get called and told they were traded just to then have the deal fall through and then have a second year player started over them?

[Snakehead]

Maybe Ray wants to feel wanted. 

According to reports, the Heat have apparently been after him for awhile now, while the Celtics have been kind of lukewarm about his return.  That, coupled with the various trade rumors and the benching, might leave Ray feeling less than desired.

I agree, I think Ray was very mad about the benching but was too much of a professional to make it public.  Ray has been a phenomenal player all of his career and Im sure there is a pride factor at play here. (which isnt a bad thing, Ray deserves to feel wanted by a team)

Honestly, it word hurt to see Ray in a heat uniform, but the dude has been a classs act his entire career, if he thinks this is best route for him I respect that.  Just like when Pedro left the sox strictly for the money, if Ray is leaving strictly for playing time/to feel like he is wanted and will be an integral part, I got no beef with that.

I disagree, here is a quote from Ray from last summer when there was talk of starting Jeff Green

On the possibility of coming off the bench next season:

“To me, however I can help the team, it’ll figure itself out. One thing in regards to Jeff is, whatever I can do to make him better and to push him and play the best that he can. It’s weird that guys have always looked at it like coming off the bench is such a bad thing. I know we went through the situation with [Allen] Iverson, he didn’t want to come off the bench. But, you’ve always worried more about who finished games, but more importantly, when you’re on a winning team, winning the game is the ultimate objective, so that’s my primary concern. I want to win.

Rondo , PP and KG were all mentioned in trade rumors too, it the nature of the business. I don't think Ray holds grudges like that or else he wouldn't have resigned 2 years ago after he was almost traded for Kevin Martin.

He was definitely bothered by coming off the bench if you're saying he's not.  There was plenty of talk about it.

One of those things where it's easy to talk the talk than walk the walk.

He might be more bothered by the near trade for Mayo and a 1st... but I'm not sure which bothers me more.

He can walk if he wants though.  He owes us nothing at this point and has given us plenty.

But did either KG or PP get called and told they were traded just to then have the deal fall through and then have a second year player started over them?

Ray was the most movable and desirable asset we had.  The team went on a big run once Avery started for us.  If he can't accept these things then good riddance.

[tyrone biggums]

I'll believe it when I see it, same rumors popped up two years ago. I do think that if he goes it does tarnish his legacy here a little but, the wounds are still too fresh. It's like if the Red Sox had lost in 2004 and Lowe or Pedro ended up going to the Yankees to chase a ring. People would hate them with a greater intensity than if they waited a year or two after a loss like that. It's way too soon for many people to handle. I think it will come down to Miami and Boston...

But at the same time, why are most of you concerned about this? Ironically the same people that were mad about Ainge not pulling together the OJ Mayo deal are the same ones that are annoyed that Ray might head to Miami...interesting....

[Fafnir]

Maybe Ray wants to feel wanted. 

According to reports, the Heat have apparently been after him for awhile now, while the Celtics have been kind of lukewarm about his return.  That, coupled with the various trade rumors and the benching, might leave Ray feeling less than desired.

Or his agent is trying to make sure the C's feel threatened enough to pay a premium over the mini-MLE.

Probably both.

[Boris Badenov]

If he does bolt, the Bradley/Allen matchup will be fun to watch next year.

[chambers]

Didn't Doc have to tell Ray to pack his bags and get ready to go to the Grizzlies at one point for OJ Mayo?

Ray would have been devastated and not want to go through that again.
Best chance of keeping him is offer 1 million more than the Heat, and then add a no trade clause to keep him happy and secure.