Ray Allen
U.S. President Barack Obama (R) picks up his club while playing a round of golf at Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts August 9, 2014. Playing with Obama is NBA basketball star Ray Allen. The Obama family is on a two-week vacation on the Vineyard. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

The greatest three point shooter of all time Ray Allen will decide on his NBA future after the All-Star weekend. The former Miami Heat and Boston Celtics player is being courted by several championship contenders who are looking to add a marksman off the bench.

Among the group of teams hoping to snag away the veteran, the Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be in the pole position. Four-time Most Valuable Player LeBron James paid a personal visit to his former teammate during his two week hiatus to convince Allen to fill the open roster spot that the Cavaliers have allotted for him. The appeal of joining James along with close friends James Jones and Mike Miller in a stacked Eastern Conference team would be the main selling point of the Cavs.

“Allen, 39, still has not decided whether he wants to return for a 19th season but has been keeping in shape and doing on-court work to keep his options open. Additionally, Allen has been in contact with teams to explore his possibilities and may take meetings during the upcoming All-Star break,” Brian Windhorst revealed in his latest article for ESPN.

Role and playing time will also be the deciding factors in Allen’s choice of team. Several other contenders such as the Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers have expressed their intention to lure Allen into their fold. Still, the possibility that Allen will hand up the basketball gear for good is all real and good as sources close to the University of Connecticut product maintain that he is enjoying his time with his family and using the time off to hone his skills in golf.

According to the same ESPN report, Allen will be conducting meetings with teams during the All-Star break. The fifth pick of the 1996 NBA Draft has proven his effectiveness on the court despite his age. He averaged close to 10 points per outing last season while shooting almost 45 per cent from the field. In his 19 years in the league, Allen posted career averages of 18.9 points and made four stops including the Milwaukee Bucks, the now-defunct Seattle Supersonics, the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat.

For concerns on this story, contact the author at v.hidalgo@ibtimes.com.au.

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