Ray Allen was one of Boston's big question marks for next season, after a Celtics campaign where the team finished just a single game from seeing their aging core secure a second NBA title in a span of three years. But fans in New England will get to see the band get back together for perhaps one final run at glory, after Allen on Wednesday agreed to return to the Celtics next season.The deal, first reported by ESPN's Marc Stein, is for two years and $20 million, with Allen holding a player option for the second year.
Allen was the last piece of Boston's current puzzle that needed to fall into place for next season. Once Paul Pierce re-signed after opting out of his deal to become a free agent, and Doc Rivers made it official that he would indeed return to fulfill the final year of his contract, the decision to come back was likely made a whole lot easier for the Celtics' sharp-shooter -- especially for a completely reasonable $10 million per season.
NBA Free Agency
Report: LeBron Headed to Heat?
Mariotti: LBJ Turns Up Heat, Will Stay With Cavs
Blackistone: FA Circus Stains LBJ's Image
Kent: ESPN Defends TV Special | Loses Integrity
Ziller: Chris Bosh as Dwyane Wade's Pau Gasol
Povtak: Wade Urges Heat to Sign Jason Williams
SVG Annoyed at LBJ Hoopla
Tomasson: Durant Feels Blessed for Extension
Celtics Unafraid of Miami Superteam
Shaq Eyes Spurs, Wants Two-Year Deal
Amick: Boozer, Bulls Agree to Deal
While the Celtics definitely didn't overpay for a player with Allen's resume and recent level of production -- 16.3 points per game during the regular season in 80 appearances, and a ridiculous performance for the ages in Game 2 of the Finals -- there were undoubtedly more than a few teams out there that would have been willing to do so.
Sources told ESPN.com that Cleveland, Chicago, Miami, and New York were on the list of teams who had expressed interest in Allen. Coincidentally, these are all teams that had the opportunity to sell their cities to LeBron James, in hopes that the reigning MVP would make his free agent decision in their favor. Securing Allen's services would have simply been another potentially exciting enticement to LeBron for any team that was trying to show him that they were serious about putting championship-caliber talent around him -- either in his current situation, or in a brand new surrounding.
But ultimately, Allen couldn't be swayed, and you can hardly blame him. Despite the Celtics being mostly mediocre through the second half of the season, they turned it on when it mattered most, and proved that this group, with Rivers knowing how to drive a veteran team towards a title, is a proven commodity when it comes to winning in the postseason.
The same can't be said for any team that might be fortunate enough to land LeBron James.
Treasury Officials Told Of IRS Probe In June 2012
Reid Goes 'Nuclear'
These American Companies Refused To Sign The Bangladesh Safety Accord
Teen Who Died During Her First Solo Drive May Have Been Texting
Major Commuter Train Crash
Bangladeshi Bloggers Face Constant Death Threats Since Arrest
Would Jesus Cut Food Stamps?
Alabama Immigration Law To Doctors: Papers, Please
Reince Priebus Issues Warning On Calls For Impeachment
Jack Lew Tells Congress Of Steps To Avoid Debt Default
Judge Deals Blow To Harsh Abortion Law
Two Days, Three Counties, Still Burning
Tragedy: Woman Dies In Gun Accident
Jay Carney: 'It Has Been A Good Week'
Ruby Testifies About Naughty Nun At Berlusconi Party
Driverless Cars Could Be Hacked By '14-Year-Old From Indonesia,' Senator Warns
Boston Fund Director Worries Donations Won't Be Enough
Aimee Copeland's New Hands
Shooting Scare Rocks Cannes Film Festival
3 Problems With IRS Claim It Didn't Discriminate Against Tea Party
Progressive Women's Group Spotlights Military Sexual Assault
Arizona Rep Expands DC Anti-Abortion Bill To Apply Nationwide
Thousands Estimated To Be Held In Secret By Assad
Former Supreme Court Justice Questions Bush v. Gore Decision
OFA Talking Points Caution Members On Keystone
Obama Student Loan Policy Under Scrutiny As Congress Tackles Student Borrowing Costs
Surprising Number Of LGBT Couples Afraid To Hold Hands In Europe
Report: Republicans Altered Benghazi Emails
Bob Woodward: Benghazi Is Like Watergate
'Planned Bullyhood' Author Shakes Up GOP Primary
Yahoo's Kid Problem: Why Yahoo May Buy Tumblr
