Ray Allen- Retire or a Cav

[Rick Astley]

Really tired of empty old guys mucking up the bench and not giving the chance to try out young, serviceable and cheap bodies but then again Allen has always proved time and time again that he can whip Father Time even for a few good minutes and give you a big shot or two.

 

[kovanovich]

Eh. We already have Miller, Jones, and Harris as spot up shooters that get zero PT. Not to mention Smith and Shump who will likely be taking the bulk of minutes at the 2. Thats 5 guys fighting for minutes at the 2. If he is looking for 26 minutes like he got in miami its not happening here. I say search out another Center or defensive PG and let allen walk.

How many washed up SGs does the team really need? I mean, if the Cavs were to trade Harris, which would free up a roster spot, it might make sense. Or just cut Jones, but that's not going to happen.

The team has 4 bigs on the roster right now. 4. And one of them (Haywood) never even plays. By comparison, Washington has 6 legitimate, veteran bigs. Toronto also has 6, not even counting Caboclo or Nogueira. And so on.

The Cavs' 3 bigs are good, and ideally no one else would be needed in an important/playoff game, but there are still 40 games left in the season, and I think it is essential that they have someone else to put in there. I think there will be viable options on the buy-out market, but that won't materialize till early March. It may be a good sign that they haven't signed Dalembert -- if it means they think they will get something better.

 

[Otsego Mar]

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/02/lebron_james_on_free_agent_ray.html

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Free agent Ray Allen is reportedly getting closer to making a decision on his future, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are one of many teams that have an interest.

"It would be great to have a piece like that," James said following Tuesday's practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts. "But that's up to him. With him, we'd be great. Without him, we're going to be great as well. It would be a great addition. We'll see what he does."

The Cavaliers have been keeping tabs on Allen since the summer when General Manager David Griffin was searching for shooters to help space the floor and make things easier for James and All-Star Kyrie Irving.

"I don't think we would ever give up on it," Griffin said in September at the Cavaliers golf outing. "Until he signs that is going to be a target for everybody. Ray is somebody that fits us as a shooter. His championship pedigree fits us at a really high level."

In addition to the Cavaliers, Allen is expected to get interest from the both conference leaders, the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks. The Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers are also interested.

The Hawks set the wheels in motion on Tuesday afternoon, making a trade to create an open roster spot. Atlanta sent rookie Adreian Payne to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a future first-round pick.

Allen, 39, is reportedly going to spend the next week deciding whether he wants to return for a 19th season. The two-time NBA champion has spent the first half of the season weighing every option, including retirement, while also staying in shape.

The Cavaliers have been considered the most likely destination because Allen already has close relationships with a trio of players on the roster. Former teammates James, Mike Miller and James Jones all made a pitch to Allen during the off-season. James also met with Allen when James traveled to Miami to rehab back and knee injuries in January.

"He's a guy that has done everything he needs to do in his career," James said. "He doesn't need to be pressured by anyone."

The relationships are enticing and so is the opportunity to compete for a championship, but the Cavs can't offer much in terms of money or playing time.

Allen, who last played during the NBA Finals in June, averaged 26.5 minutes per game during the regular season while contributing 9.6 points for the Heat. He shot 39 percent from three-point range in the playoffs and is said to be searching for a specific role, one the Cavs may not be able to offer.

With the additions of J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, the Cavs don't have many minutes to hand out at the two-guard spot, especially with head coach David Blatt shortening his rotation recently. Blatt has been using eight players unless there's a need for more because of foul trouble, injury or the game becomes a blowout.

Even Shawn Marion, who has started 23 games this season, has seen his minutes decrease over the last month. The 36-year-old swingman is averaging 11.4 minutes in the last 12 games.

The Cavs have a roster spot open just in case. But for now, they're in the same position as the other suitors: Waiting for the three-point specialist to make his decision. As James said Tuesday, it's up to Allen.

 

[Crosby_Cavs]

I'm OK with Allen if we cut James Jones or some other scrub. We needs backup PG or backup Center more than another SG without defense. JR is pretty good, Shump is playing well recently, we have some great guys for Allen's position and we still have Mike Miller who needs to step up.

Backup PG, or Backup C.

 

[GwenJen]

Allen would work quite well with Shumpert as the back up wings. Shumpert can make up for some of Allen's defensive weaknesses. My guess is they trade for a PG with Haywood and probably Harris, and then they pick up a bought out big.