Despite not playing the entire season last year, future Hall Of Famer Ray Allen has yet to formalize his retirement.
According to cbssports.com, Allen spoke about his hiatus and his possible retirement. "I haven't said anything about that and I won't officially retire," Allen said. "Because if something came to the table, contractually and situational-ly, I want to be able to take a strong look at it. I don't want to be that guy that says he's retiring and then is coming back."
"I didn't miss it," he added. "I realized how much time I missed not being home with my kids. I probably missed it in the Finals. Watching Cleveland and Golden State play, it just seemed like an epic battle that required a lot of precision on the floor and that's when I felt, that was probably the only time that I felt like, 'Man, I should have been out there.'"
"It would be one thing if I played 10 or 11 years," he explained. "But playing 18, I got a lot out of it. I like the feeling of knowing I don't have to beat myself into the ground."
Allen said that he continues to stay in shape even though he hasn't played for a year.
Former Miami Heat teammate Lebron James even said that he would have loved for Allen to come back. As cleveland.com stated, James said he the team would have been helped if Allen joined the Cleveland Cavaliers last year. "It would be great to have a piece like that," James said. "But that's up to him. With him, we'd be great. Without him, we're going to be great as well. It would be a great addition. We'll see what he does."
Experts believe that Allen's primary choices if he chooses to return would be the Cavs, Los Angeles Clippers or the New York Knicks. Given that the Cavs and the Clippers are filled with shooting guards, Allen's best choice could be with the Knicks. Rumors indicate that Allen's priority is having a significant role with his potential team. With the inefficient Knicks' backcourt, Allen would be a significant upgrade and would help Carmelo Anthony carry the offensive load.
