Ray Allen was recruited by LeBron James among others last season, but decided to stay retired and spend his winter golfing in Miami and hanging with his family. He was just in Las Vegas celebrating his 40th birthday — with an incredible cake.
Despite all that Allen has never officially retired from the NBA.
And he’s not going to, at least not anytime soon, he told the Hartford Courant (hat tip SLAM).“I haven’t said anything about that and I won’t officially retire,” Allen said Saturday during a break in his basketball camp for kids at East Granby High. “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 said. “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.’”
If he does not play again, Allen is comfortable with the run he’s had, which includes championships with the Celtics and Heat. […] “It would be one thing if I played 10 or 11 years,” he said “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.”
He’s leaving the door open, but this does not sound like a guy with a burning desire to get back on the court.
My guess is again Allen would not be open to a full-season contract, after 18 seasons and sitting the last one out he doesn’t want to go through a training camp and some preseason games. But if the Cavaliers decide closer to the All-Star break that they need more shooting, and they seem destined for the Finals, then maybe Allen would listen to the chance to make one more run at a ring.
Even then, I’d still bet on him choosing staying home with his family.
