New York Knicks Offseason: Why Ray Allen Is a Good Fit in the Big Apple

“You can never have too many shooters.” You hear great shooters like Steve Kerr and Reggie Miller say things like that all the time when they are broadcasting, but as biased as it sounds when they say it–it is just as true. Especially when you have a player like Carmelo Anthony on your team.

‘Melo knows how to draw in defenders. Ideally he receives the ball in the post or at the wings and continues to work his way toward the basket or into a double-team.   He could probably make the shot even with the extra help defense, but if ‘Melo is playing smart he will pass to the now open perimeter shooter, (i.e.. Steve Novak).

This formula worked out pretty well for the unknown sharpshooter turned local celebrity. How about looking at it when you include the greatest 3-point shooter of all time?

The future hall of famer helped lead the Celtics to winning their championship alongside Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Now, 5 years since the trade that brought them all together, it looks as though Ray Allen may be leaving the Celtics. He was replaced in the starting line-up by up-and-comer Avery Bradley this past season. On top of that, if Kevin Garnett retires (which is being speculated by the media), then Allen has even less reason to stay.

If he does leave, then it is being reported that his top choices are the Knicks and the Heat.

Allen has career averages of 20.0 ppg and 40.0 % from beyond the arc. He is an elite athlete with an amazing routine that keeps him incredibly fit for any age, let alone that he is 36. Speaking of his age, to me it is not an issue. Shooters don’t lose their touch due to age the way a high flying player would. Allen could be shooting well far into his retirement.

So what am I failing to mention to you? Oh yeah, The Knicks have almost zero chance of signing him due to their salary restrictions. It is most likely that the arbitrator that is assigned to the Players’ Union case about retaining bird rights after being picked up on waivers (allowing Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak to be resigned without going against our cap) will rule against the Union. In other words, Lin will take the MLE, while Novak may demand the bi-annual exception.

That leaves a veteran’s minimum (1.4 million dollars) contract available for good old Ray. I am sorry to report that he is almost certainly not going to accept such  an offer. There is a chance that the arbitrator will help out the Knicks by giving the Union what they want, and as unlikely as this is I still hope for it on a daily basis.

Ray Allen fits with this team because he spreads the floor with his shooting ability, and if you include his veteran playoff experience he becomes a significant contributor. We need someone who can guide the young talent on the team, and on top of that he would fill the need of starting shooting guard, at least until Iman Shumpert is healed come January.

It seems like everything is banking on the results of the hearing which should be revealed within the next couple of weeks. The Ray Allen possibility will have to wait, but one thing is clear: he can help lift this team to the next level.