Ray Allen has been in the league long enough, he has been interviewed more times than he can remember, he gets how to play that game — don’t ever paint yourself into a corner. Always allow for options.
Keep that in mind as you read this from Ray Allen, the former Buck and current Heat sharpshooter, speaking with the Racine Journal Times.
So Ray, might you retire after this season?Here is a broader answer.
“I don’t know when I’ll retire,” said Allen, who began his pro career in Milwaukee in 1996 and spent six-plus productive seasons with the Bucks before being dealt to Seattle. “I’d like to get through the year first. I feel great; my body feels good. I just got to get through.
“I’m at a point where I’ve been pretty successful and I’ve gotten to the point where I really understand the game and how to play it. But I’m not going to be that guy who just hangs on. At some point, I can let it go.”
Sounds like Allen is taking it year by year. His minutes are down this year so far (25.5 per game) and with that he is scoring 11.2 points per game and is shooting 43.2 percent from three. He is still dangerous from the corner in particular. He has a player option for $3.2 million for next season.
My guess is he plays out this contract then retires as arguably the greatest three-point shooter the game has ever seen. But always leave yourself options. Which is what Allen did.