Ray Allen hit the biggest shot of the Miami Heat’s season, you thought he was leaving?
Allen probably could have made more money shopping himself around, but Allen has let the Heat know he is opting in and will stay with the team next season.
Allen will make $3.2 million. If he opted out he could have gotten a little more from the Heat or saw his value out on the open market. But he could have made more money in Boston, he went to Miami to win rings and so he’s going to stick around for a shot at another one in South Beach.
Allen averaged 10.9 points a game and shot 41.9 percent from three, a key part of the Heat’s “pace and space” strategy. He was particularly deadly from the corners — 48.8 percent from the left corner, 39.6 percent from the right. But he can knock down shots from pretty much anywhere but straight on (23.1 percent).
He also can put the ball on the floor and drive still, plus he’s a better defender than he gets credit for.
Miami didn’t want him to leave, and he’s staying. He’s not the Ray Allen of 10 years ago but he still has real value to Miami and they keep him at a bargain price.