What are Sonics fans thought on what may or should be done concerning Ray Allen? should the Sonics let him see out his deal and risk losing him next summer? or pay him the big bucks that he wants? obviously the Sonics have started very strong winning 17 out of their first 20 games, does that change people's view on keeping him in Seattle?
Well I think they should give him what he wants if they are still like this at the all star break. They finally have something that is working up in Seattle..why change it?
Because he's not worth a maximum deal at this stage of his career. I have no problem with paying him more money than we've offered thus far if we're still hot after the ASB, but right now, I still don't think he's worth what he allegedly wants. The beauty of this team is, despite having a lot of guys out of contract (and a coach) after this season, it's all been put on the backburner for the time being.
Not a Sonics fan. But if I was Seattle management, I wouldnt jump the gun. I would stick to the game plan, and ride out the entire season. And then at the end of the season evaluate the direction this franchise is going in...because from an outside persepective the Sonics are a team that isnt all that good but they cant seem to lose right now. But that doesnt mean that wont change come March. And this teams weakness strart to show. And then they have to confront the fact are they really a team that needs to look to go young & start to re-build. I know it seems strange now because of their record but they are playing way above their head. And teams can sometimes do that for a streetch, some squads can do that for even a whole season. But I dont think you make any extreme decisions because of it. The Sonics wont be paying Ray Allen for what he has done these first 20 or so games...they will be paying him for 4 or so years down the line. And with Allen's injury troubles since his last year with the Bucks, thats a bit of a risky move. Also the Sonics have to keep in mind that once they sign Allen to that type of contract they have to have a full commitment to winning & being competive right now. They cant decide mid-way thru next year, "you know what we arent as good as we were at this point last season, so lets tear it down. And start to rebuild". That option wont be available because it is extremely hard to rebuild with a staple of your team making that type of money. And Ray will be hard to move because not alot of teams are going to be interested in a 30 year-old guard making max with years left on his deal. I dont think this is a situation where the Sonics give out money on how good they are now. They must take a realistic look at their team before signing Ray. And that truely cant be done until the season is a wrap.
Max deal? No, never. And good luck trying to find a team that is going to give Allen that kind of contract. Honestly, I'm not a Sonics fan, but I think that Seattle needs to do what is best for the whole team and set the whole contract thing aside for the rest of the season. It's not fair to the other players if they have to deal with that as a distraction. Also, another thing that I think is going to play a role in all of this is the Sonics considering gambling and letting him test the free agent market. What team is going to match the numbers that Seattle is going to give him? I can't think of many other than a handful of franchises that are desperate for ANY good players that they can get and I find it hard to believe that Ray Allen would want to go to a team that isn't competitive. Nevertheless, I think that it is best for all involved to set things aside, let him test the market and see that he won't get that contract from anyone. As a result, the Sonics might end up paying him less.
you know what, i'm not a big Ray Allen fan myself, but if Kirilenko and Zach Randolph got theirs, i think Ray Allen should get his too
^ Kirilenko and Randolph (and Gasol) are young players though, just coming into their primes with a good 8-10 years left in the game. Ray is almost 30, with a history of knee and ankle issues.
AK47 and Randolph got 86 million deals, Ray wants anywhere between 100-120 from what I gather. Which is too much but I'm sure If Seattle don't give him what he wants, some other team will. Teams don't care about saving money or the risk of who they spend It on these days, Ray deserves at least 90 million and nothing less. Wether the Sonics will give It to him is another matter.
I don't know about re-signing Ray for the max. Maybe a 3 year contract paying him the max, but even that is a little risky. You got to re-sign him or Flip. Ronald will come cheaper, and he's 4 years younger, so there is more of an upside to signing Ronald to a long contract than Ray. However, would letting Ray go and signing Flip to replace him, make the Sonics a WC contender? I don't think so. They have to be very creative in this situation.
sometimes, money isnt as important as players and goals ahead of the team...it all depends on what the management feels this team is able to do...if they feel this team has a bright future, they should resign Ray Allen and maybe try to bring a couple of pieces around him...I was never a big Ray Allen fan, but I think he's playing his best basketball right now and I think he has a couple of great years in front of him...the sonics should do whatever it takes to keep him in seattle
If i was Rob Babcock for Toronto....and i got rid of Rose and Carter's contract to free up the cash for next summer...i'd offer Allen what carter was making for the next 4 years
