Why I Wouldn’t Sign Ray Allen to the Cavs
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been considered the front runners to sign Ray Allen since before the season started. It all made sense: He wanted to play with LeBron James, the Cavs are a title contender, GM David Griffin loves shooting, HC David Blatt loves shooting and Ray Allen would be another veteran to add to a young core.
It hasn’t happened yet. We have heard rumors, reports and speculation pretty much every week but nothing has come to pass. Now, only 14 games into the season, the question has to be asked: Should the Cleveland Cavaliers sign Ray Allen?
I wouldn’t if I am the Cavs and here are some reasons why:
- The Cavs have a good amount of shooting, or at least people who like to shoot, on the floor.
- Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, Mike Miller, Dion Waiters, Joe Harris and LeBron James all are comfortable shooting 3 pointers.
- The Cavs perimeter defense is not good and they do not have a rim protecting big man to make up for that.
- Ray Allen would compete with Miller for the worst defender on the team.
- Joe Harris could be an important part of the Cavs future.
- The rookie swingman is a good shooter with decent size that he can use to body up on defense as well.
- The roster is limited to 15 players.
- Including Alex Kirk the Cavs have a full roster. They may look to make other additions and may not have room for the limited scope of what Ray Allen can do.
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- Adding a new piece could cause more problems for the rotation and team overall chemistry on the court.
- Blatt has struggled to find a good rotation plan and the team is still learning how to play together.
- Ray Allen hasn’t played or practiced since the NBA Finals.
- While Allen is known as a strict health and exercise player, not being with an NBA team for months could be problematic for the team.
- He doesn’t solve any of the Cavs primary issues.
- The Cavs need defense on the inside and perimeter as well as some interior scoring. Allen does none of these, at all.
- Allen would be a one year player, added to James Jones, Shawn Marion, Brendan Haywood and possibly Mike Miller who could all be gone after the season.
- Cutting a player that could be around for a few years for a player for less than a year creates more long term instability.
Am I against the Cavs signing Ray Allen? Of course not. There are reasons for him to be signed and if/when that happens we would celebrate it. If I was Griffin, right now, I wouldn’t make that move. After making a deal for another defender or two, and likely creating a roster spot, than I would be all for it.
Would you sign Ray Allen today if you were David Griffin?