Cleveland Cavaliers Should Not Sign Ray Allen

Rumors have started again tying NBA veteran shooting guard Ray Allen with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although that is an option, a possible signing should is not the best idea.

When the Cleveland Cavaliers lost not only their small forward in LeBron James, but also their best player of all-time to the Miami Heat, Ray Allen was added to the team in their quest to win a ring. After multiple previous attempts and after winning their first NBA Championship, Cleveland may finally end up landing Allen.

According to Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com, Allen’s agent has reached out to the Cavs, among other teams about joining their organization next season. Of the other teams that were contacted, one immediately jumps out and that is the Golden State Warriors. Both Cleveland and Golden State seem to be the favorites to land the very successful three-point shooter.

As intriguing as it is to sign Allen, such a signing should not up happen. Of course any NBA team cannot have enough shooters, but given his time away from the court, can he still be a sure thing? That answer cannot be confidently given yet.

More from Factory of Sadness

• Bet $1 on ANYTHING to Unlock $200 Guaranteed with Crazy Bet365 Ohio Promo!
• 3 reasons why the Cleveland Cavaliers have a good shot to win the East next year
• It might be too soon to say it but it looks like the Cleveland Guardians are back
• Are the Cleveland Browns a Top 10 roster heading into the 2023 season?
• Eastern Conference Solidarity: Back the Heat with $5 Bet, Win $200 Bonus INSTANTLY with DraftKings Promo

Still, all signings go back to money. Could Allen sign more for the chase of another ring with the Cleveland Cavaliers and accept a veteran minimum salary? Sure, it is possible, but I would expect him to still seek more income.

Cleveland does have their mid-level exception, which is for $3.4 million, but that amount instead should go to another available all-star in Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade. Wade would have to take a significant pay cut if he accepted their exception.

More from Cleveland Cavaliers

• 3 reasons why the Cleveland Cavaliers have a good shot to win the East next year
• It might be too soon to say it but it looks like the Cleveland Guardians are back
• Eastern Conference Solidarity: Back the Heat with $5 Bet, Win $200 Bonus INSTANTLY with DraftKings Promo
• Should the Cleveland Cavaliers go after Chris Paul if he’s waived?
• Could the Dallas Mavericks really retain former Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving and land LeBron James?

Allen would likely take that offer, but Cleveland can do better. The point is that the Cleveland Cavaliers have a better option in Wade, even though they will have to make added moves to make room for Wade’s salary (which would be more than the $3.4 million exception).

Wade has had issues where he struggled last season, including from beyond the arch and occasionally on defense. Regardless, he still will be a top 15-20 player next season once again.

I get Allen’s shooting. However, how else can he be a benefit to the Cleveland Cavaliers? Other than experience, there is no other way. His playing time could be given to Wade or other Cavs players like guard Iman Shumpert, UFA forward James Jones, or someone else.

Allen will be 41 years old in two weeks. Having last played in 2013 with Miami, he averaged 26.5 minutes/game with 9.6 points and .375 three-point shooting percentage. Those were solid numbers, but that was in the past.

Next: How Can A Wade Deal Work?

Why risk signing him, when the Cleveland Cavaliers would be more successful with a better player in Wade? They could end up with both, but right now all the chips must be pushed in favor of Wade and see where everything falls into place.