NBA Free Agency 2014: Ray Allen leaning toward joining Cleveland Cavaliers

According to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, veteran shooting guard Ray Allen is “leaning” toward joining the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Allen’s intent comes to little surprise. Since joining the Miami Heat in 2013, Allen and LeBron James have grown close together. Prior to James’ decision to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Ray Allen’s decision to push off retirement for another season was largely dependent on his relationship with LeBron James.

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Now an unrestricted free agent, Allen is in place to be the third former Heat player to join James in Cleveland, following in the footsteps of Mike Miller and James Jones. In fact, of all the Miami Heat free agents, only Chris “Birdman” Andersen has re-signed with the organization.

At this point in his career, Allen will be nothing more than a long-range sniper. As constructed, Allen falls in line behind Kyrie Irving, Matthew Delladova, Dion Waiters, Andrew Wiggins, and Mike Miller, but ahead of former Heat teammate in James Jones. If the Cavaliers participate in the oft-rumored Kevin Love trade that has dominated the NBA news cycle, the depth chart could clear enough for Allen to be a nightly rotation player on the new-look Cavaliers.

Last season, Allen averaged a career-low 9.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting his lowest three-point percentage since the 2009-10 season (37%).

Ray Allen is a two-time NBA champion, winning once with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and with the Miami Heat in 2013.