Miami Heat's Ray Allen slam dunks against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half in Game 1 of their NBA Finals basketball series in San Antonio, Texas June 5, 2014.
Miami Heat's Ray Allen slam dunks against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half in Game 1 of their NBA Finals basketball series in San Antonio, Texas June 5, 2014. REUTERS

The Chicago Bulls are looking to add another veteran in their line-up and they are looking at shooter Ray Allen to an already active summer with just roughly two months to go before the tip-off the new 2014-2015 NBA season.

Sam Smith of Bulls.com, the team’s official website, reported the development.

Other teams reportedly interested in Ray Allen earlier in the 2014 offseason are the Cleveland Cavaliers which has Allen’s former teammate LeBron James and the Los Angeles Clippers, which has Allen’s former coach Doc Rivers.

Smith also added that roughly a dozen teams are interested in Allen’s services including the defending NBA champions San Antonio Spurs and the up-and-coming Washington Wizards.

“Subsequently, there have been reports of the Washington Wizards and San Antonio Spurs expressing interest. The Bulls are believed to be among almost a dozen teams to have contacted Allen and his representatives. In fact, it would be a surprise if just about every team other that the non competitive 76ers have not contacted Allen, a savvy veteran who can make three pointers and likely will play for a veterans’ minimum,” Smith wrote in his article.

Ray Allen to a Contender Makes Sense

Allen’s inclusion with any of the abovementioned title or playoff contending squads makes sense basketball-wise.

Allen won a championship with James in Miami during the Heat’s 2013 title run. He also won a title with Boston when Rivers coached the team in their run to the championship in 2008. The Spurs are always an alluring destination with the winning culture in Texas and the Wizards are an interesting squad which has young guns Bradley Beal and John Wall not to mention ex-teammate Paul Pierce, who signed in Washington in the offseason.

There are varying reports on what kind of salary Allen will be demanding although there will be no surprise if he settles for the veteran’s minimum considering he has already earned a lot during his rich 15-year NBA career.

A chance to win the title one last time could be more appealing for Allen, who also reportedly has considered retirement from basketball.

Ray Allen Can Be Acquired via the Veteran's Minimum

The Bulls can only afford the veteran’s minimum owing to an active offseason and an already loaded roster.

They signed Pau Gasol to add depth to their frontcourt featuring center Joakim Noah and forward Taj Gibson and are looking to do the same in their wing and backcourt positions. Currently, the shooting guard-small forward depth chard include defensive stalwart Jimmy Butler, veteran shooter Mike Dunleavy, rookie Doug McDermott,, shooting guard Tony Snell and point guards Derrick Rose and Aaron Brooks.

The addition of Ray Allen will surely add depth to the Bulls’ backcourt.

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