As we wind down to the playoffs, Jason Meast and I will be going through each prospective free agent this offseason on the roster, and getting everyone's thoughts on them. This is in terms of value to the team, likelihood that they'll be a Sonic next season and where else they could end up. Ray Allen will be an unrestricted free agent. Strengths: He is a star, period. One of the best guards in the NBA, and arguably the best shooter, although the amount of tough shots he takes means his shooting clip doesn't necessarily reflect this. He is particularly good at taking over games in the last quarter, when he gets hot he can hit from literally anywhere with anyone on him. He is also more than capable of running the point from periods, and he is a better all-round offensive weapon than he is given credit for. Weaknesses: Where do I start? He is soft, and he's not exactly what you'd call a reliable defender. He can be very selfish when it comes to getting his points, and while he may put on a team face at times, he is often caught playing for his stats. He is also a pest in the media, often complaining about which players he doesn't like, which teams he'd like to play to, and what he thinks of just about everything. Importance to the team: It depends who you ask. If you ask someone like Iron Shiek, then he should be tossed on the scrap heap to clear playing time for someone else. However, while he seems to enjoy a love/hate relationship with the fans, he has still won more games than he has lost. He is still the face of Seattle basketball, and he is still the guy that the ball is in the hands of in the clutch. His value to the team is in direct correlation to the contract he'll be on next season, if of course he is back. Chances he'll be back: IMO, high. Yes, we've heard him talk to the media every week about what teams he'd like to play for, which teams he'd consider signing with et al, but that's just the way Ray is. He's a media whore at times. The bottom line is it's a strong free agency market for shooting guards. Michael Redd, Joe Johnson and Larry Hughes are the prize catches - when age is taken into account - and while all three look to be leaning towards staying where they are, teams will still have a crack at them, particularly Johnson. In Seattle, Ray knows he is the man, and is in his comfort zone in terms of being the dominant player and personality. He'll take the 70-75 million in the end, because I doubt he'll get more elsewhere. Will be in his 30s soon, and there are always questions about his knees and ankles. Possible Interest: The two frontrunners would be Cleveland and Milwaukee, and they could be in direct correlation to eachother. The Cavs are in the market for a shooting guard, with Redd and Joe Johnson their two main targets, but Ray could still be an attractive option given they have max money to spend. Ray says he would like to play with LeBron, but if Z is back, could he handle being a second or third option? I doubt it. Milwaukee, if Redd leaves, would be a hot favourite to snap him back up, given ownership and the city adores him, and his only issues were with George Karl. The presence of Karl also rules out any sort of sign & trade with Denver, too, who will go after Redd. Prediction: He will keep bleating in the media about not being close to a deal with the Sonics throughout the summer, but when he realises he's not going to get what he wants elsewhere, he'll take what is on the table from Rick Sund and co.
Can't say I disagree with any of what you posted, including strengths and weaknesses. That game against Miami on the road when we broke their winning streak is still one of the best games of the season, thanks to Ray. I'd like to see Ray Allen back in a Sonics uniform, just not at a max contract. I also like the fact that he's the only one who called out Georgie for his disrespectful display in Denver the other day. Although that might've been due to his ongoing personal feud
That is one thing I do like about Ray Allen - he is not afraid to go in to bat for the team in the media, even if it costs him some dough (that being said, anything to do with Georgie would be fueled by their personal feud). Nate is the same in that regard. Unfortunately Ray also doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut, but such is life.
"Ray, Ray go away. Come again some other day." On a serious note. We almost have to resign him b/c we won't get any equal compensation via free agency. I think that the Sonics should stand pat on their 70 million dollar offer and let the chips fall. If Ray doesn't decide to resign we should throw good money at Ron Murray. If Ray resigns than our best bet is to try to bring in some much needed front line help--and some back up shooting guard help. We could do him like Desmond Mason and trade him before the ink is dry on his next contract. If we do sign Ray I think that we will be taking a step backwards considering that it won't give our younger players an opportunity to develop. Ray is not a player who I could see willingly see deferring to anyone and we have plenty of players on our roster right now that I would imagine in 3 years Ray would need to defer to. I'm sure that Rick Sund will make the right call.
