Ray Allen’s return to the Boston Celtics may have never really been in the cards after he left the team to win his second and final ring with the Miami Heat but, according to the Hall of Fame guard, there was a brief window when it almost happened.
Speaking on a recent episode of Boston-area local sports radio show Ordway, Merloni and Fauria, the 10-time All-Star explained how he was a superstar decision away from putting on the green and white one more time.
“I had a conversation with [Celtics president Danny Ainge] and I told him this was my last-ditch effort. I would’ve went back,” said Allen of that career-defining moment in the summer of 2016 (via WEEI’s Nick Friar), as teams around the league — Boston included — waited on the free agency decision of Kevin Durant.
Durant, who ultimately chose (to the rest of the league’s chagrin) to join the Golden State Warriors, evidently would have been the siren call to Jesus Shuttlesworth (as Allen is sometimes called). But then, it’s never a tough sell to convince players to suit up for a real shot at a ring, which Durant’s presence before his Achilles injury could perhaps have granted the Celtics.
“This was when Kevin Durant was a free agent. He was thinking about going to Boston. And I said, ‘Hey, if you guys land Kevin, I would certainly look at lacing them back up one more time and try to make something good happen here in Boston.’
And it was a great story if it went that way, if it happened. After that I wasn’t — it’s great to talk about it. There’s a lot of nostalgia associated with it. But, what’s done is done and you kind of have to move on.”
Ultimately, despite recruiting New England Patriots superstar quarterback Tom Brady to encourage the DMV native to sign with the Celtics, the bid fell short and Allen remained retired. All is well that ends well though, as Sugar Ray — called such for the sweet and smooth game he displayed in his time with the NBA — indeed moved on to settling into retired life as well as anyone cut from his cloth might.
Allen, now 44 years old, is still prepared to play if he should ever get a call though. Well regarded for his pregame preparation and workout routine, the UConn product was quick to note he could still come back and be an impact player at age 44, noting “If I had to play tomorrow, I can do it … As many (minutes) I need to play”.
Players known for their meticulous preparation never truly let go of that part of their personality. So as Allen says, it’s better to, “Stay ready, [so] you never have to get ready”.
As to whether there was ever any real traction to KD linking up with Allen in Boston, well — we’ll just have to take the shooter at his word.
