Ray Allen and Jordan Crawford are two of the top NBA free agents left on the market heading into September and the start of training camp and the Chicago Bulls, Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, San Antonio Spurs and LA Clippers are all potential options and the Cavs look like the favorites for Ray Allen with LeBron James continuing to recruit him to the team.
According to ESPN.com, the Chicago Bulls have jumped into the fold on Ray Allen and they could be an option for the veteran this year as he decides where he wants to play. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been considered the favorites because of Allen's connection with LeBron James and also because Allen has made it clear he wants to play for a contender. The Bulls fit in that category and some other teams chasing him include the LA Clippers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards.
Allen is still one of the best three point shooters in the game and he could be a major contributor for one of those teams off the bench. ESPN.com reported earlier this summer that Allen was not retiring and while he had not figured out where he would play this season, retirement was off the table. The Wizards are an up and coming team in the east, but they are not a title contender yet and on top of that Allen and Paul Pierce have not had the best relationship since Allen left Boston.
The Cavaliers make the most sense because of LeBron James and the likely finals run, but the Bulls also could be a strong option for Allen along with the Spurs. Both of those teams are expected to contend and if Allen wants to stay in the East, Chicago would be a logical landing spot along with Cleveland. The Bulls had issues from long range last season, but they have now added Doug McDermott and Aaron Brooks, while Allen could be the final piece to the puzzle. The team is getting back Derrick Rose healthy and that is huge for the Bulls and that could help sway Allen to Chicago.
The Heat and Bulls are both contenders in the east, but the Cavaliers look like the best bet to make it to the finals. The team has added LeBron James and Kevin Love along with veterans like Mike Miller and James Jones and bringing in Allen would only boost the team even more.
The Miami Heat lost LeBron James this offseason, but the team signed Luol Deng in free agency and after brining back Dwyane Wade the team may look at free agent options like Greg Oden, Jordan Crawford or Michael Beasley, as those players could add even more depth for the team off the bench. The Miami Heat added Luol Deng this offseason and once it's all said and done, he could be the most significant player to sign apart from someone named LeBron James. Deng isn't the player that James is and no one is, but he surely can make up for some of his production and now Miami has a new big 3 with Deng, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
