Miami has made Boston sharpshooter Ray Allen their top priority, but if money is going to be a factor (and it always is) then they may find themselves left in the dust. Miami can only offer Allen it’s mini-mid level exception, which is worth $3 million a year. The Memphis Grizzlies however have waded in and offered Allen its full $5 million a year mid level exception. A return to Boston seems the most likely though given that they are prepared to double Miami’s offer and pay him $6 million a year for the next two years.
For Miami, although Allen would be a perfect piece for their offense, it’s wishful thinking to hope that Allen will take a 50% paycut on what is likely his last NBA paycheck. Memphis and Boston are also playoff contending teams as well, so its not like he’s taking the money to play for a lottery team either.
So the choice should rightfully come down to Memphis and Boston. Memphis would be able to offer him a greater role, considering their lack of depth at shooting guard, and their desperate need for a shooter to space the floor. In Boston he will likely be seeing a timeshare with young defensive ace Avery Bradley, and there has been talk of behind-the-scenes friction between Allen and Rajon Rondo.
Still, Boston has been his home for the past four years, and he is comfortable working with Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. That and the extra $2 million will likely be enough to keep Allen in Beantown.
