Ray Allen Chooses the Miami HEAT
Ray Allen has agreed to sign with the Miami HEAT for the mini mid-level exception worth $3.09 million per season, according to team owner Micky Arison, who tweeted the news on Friday evening. Allen, who spent the last five seasons with the Boston Celtics, met with HEAT brass on Thursday and made his final decision this afternoon.
Allen considered a return to the Celtics, but ultimately decided to join the HEAT because he felt it gave him the best chance to compete for a championship. Boston was offering significantly more money than Miami – $6 million per year versus $3.09 million – as well as a no-trade clause, but that didn’t stop the future Hall of Famer from taking his talents to South Beach.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade had been aggressively recruiting Allen in recent days. James wasn’t subtle in his recruitment, tweeting a picture of Allen in a HEAT jersey alongside the caption, “This looks damn good to me.” Wade also offered support over social media, tweeting that Thursday was a big day for the HEAT since team officials would be meeting with Allen.
The 36-year-old is a 10-time All-Star, who won a championship with the Celtics in 2008. Allen, who averaged 14.2 points and 3.1 rebounds last season with the Celtics, can officially sign with Miami on July 11, when the league’s moratorium is lifted.
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