If scribe Sam Smith’s sources are correct, the Chicago Bulls have joined the multi-team race in hopes of signing free agent shooting guard and future Hall of Famer Ray Allen.
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"Subsequently, there have been reports of the Washington Wizards and San Antonio Spurs expressing interest. The Bulls are believed to be among almost a dozen teams to have contacted Allen and his representatives. In fact, it would be a surprise if just about every team other that the non competitive 76ers have not contacted Allen, a savvy veteran who can make three pointers and likely will play for a veterans’ minimum."
Like every other team mentioned in the Ray Allen race, the Chicago Bulls would be nice landing spot for Allen as he continues to contemplate whether returning for what would be his 19th year in the NBA.
As of now, the lone shooting guards on the Bulls roster are Jimmy Butler, Tony Snell, and combo guard Kirk Heinrich. With Butler able to play both the guard and forward position, a move down a position could open up a spot for Ray Allen to receive minutes at the two-spot.
Due to the Bulls being a defense-first team, they present the perfect opportunity for Allen: he can focus solely on offense while the surrounding cast can protect him defensively as he’s past his heyday on that end of the floor.
Ultimately, it’ll come down to what Allen wants most. If he chooses to push off retirement for another year, he’ll have a handful of championship contenders vying for his services–Chicago, Cleveland, San Antonio–as well as the Miami Heat who’ve yet to shy away from interest in the guard who helped them to a championship over the San Antonio Spurs in 2013.
Last season, Allen averaged a career-low 9.6 points per game while shooting 37 percent from three, his worst three-point percentage since the 2006-07 season when Allen was a member of the then-Seattle Supersonics.