Ray Allen is looking to make an NBA comeback. Spike Lee is recruiting him to New York, and the Knicks could surely use his services.
Jeff Hornacek has often mentioned the need to add shooters to New York’s rotation. The most lethal perimeter threat of all-time has just returned to the market.
Ray Allen is looking to make an NBA comeback, and a handful of teams, including the Knicks, could use the marksman’s services.
“I worked out the other day in New York with a friend of mine,” Allen said to the Hartford Courant’s Dom Abore. “I was shooting, I was going through my routine just like I’d always done. Yeah, I was a little winded, but I was able to go through my routine and I didn’t feel like I’d missed any time in doing what I was doing.
“For me, it’s not ‘Can I do it anymore?’ It’s how I feel after I do it. And yesterday, I felt great.”
The Hartford Courant’s Dom Abore reported Allen has spoken both Boston and Milwaukee, two teams he’s played for in the past.
“I would love going back to those places if it worked out,” Allen said “because both teams are good, too. It doesn’t necessarily have to be championship-or-bust for me to go back to the NBA.
“I want to be in a situation where I thought I could help, play a little bit and help where they have good, young talent.”
New York could surely use his services.
The 41-year-old Allen, a 10-time NBA All-Star, holds the record for the most made regular season (2,973) and playoff (385) three-pointers in league history. His knack for knocking down triples in transition falls in unison with the up-tempo Knicks offense Hornacek is installing.
Allen told the Hartford Courant he is not sure of a reunion with the Miami Heat, but one super fan has been trying to get him to sign with the Knicks.
“Spike Lee has been trying to recruit me,” Allen said. “We’ve been texting.”
Allen’s .400 career three-point clip bests all of New York’s shooters, including Courtney Lee (.384) and Carmelo Anthony (.344). The two-time NBA champion would provide veteran leadership for a Knicks team that has won only 49 games over the past two seasons.
New York currently has 14 players under guaranteed contracts, while three more have partial guarantees heading into training camp. The Knicks can have no more than 20, and shooting guards on the roster include Lee, Justin Holiday and Sasha Vujacic.
Allen can absolutely be added by way of the veteran’s minimum.
