NBA Free Agents 2014: Should San Antonio Spurs Get Ray Allen, Michael Beasley?
This NBA offseason was a crazy and wild ride, with LeBron James choosing to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers--and later joined by Kevin Love--Carmelo Anthony remaining in New York with the Knicks, and Jeremy Lin now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
But the dramatic offseason isn't over just yet.
The two highest-profile players remaining on the free agent market are Michael Beasley and Ray Allen. According to multiple sources, the San Antonio Spurs have shown interest in both players.
Michael Beasley is just 25 years old. The former No. 2 overall draft pick out of Kansas State has good rebounding skills and he usually stays healthy. Beasley has also proven to be an adequate free throw shooter (75.8 percent) in the NBA.
So what's the problem?
Despite being a good power forward, Beasley has had multiple off the court incidents. These incidents range from numerous drug offenses, speeding, on-court alterations and others. Many teams have given Beasley a chance, but it never seems to end well. Beasley has played for the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns and Heat again in his six-year career.
Despite starting 170 games his first three seasons, Beasley has only started 29 games the last three seasons. Something isn't right.
Maybe the Spurs would be the perfect fit. The Spurs are the defending NBA champions, so they could afford releasing him at any point. Future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan would be a terrific mentor for Beasley. Beasley wouldn't be a starter on this high-powered team, but he could provided quality minutes off the bench.
Although Beasley could be a good addition, the Spurs may not want to take a risk on signing him. Beasley may be too much of a distraction in the locker room.
Then there's Ray Allen.
Allen, the greatest NBA three-point shooter of all-time, is still a free agent. Allen would make a terrific addition to this Spurs squad. Last season, the Spurs ranked No. 1 overall in three-point percentage in the entire NBA. There's no doubt if Allen wants three-point shots, then San Antonio is the place for him.
The biggest question for Allen now is this: does he want to continue playing, or does he want to retire?
If Allen returns this upcoming NBA season, it will be his 19th season in the league. Allen was part of that memorable 1996 draft with Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Allen Iverson. Allen is now 39 years old.
It's most likely that Allen will choose one of three options: the Spurs, the Cavaliers or retirement. Unlike the Beasley option, Allen poses no risk towards the team. Allen is a two-time NBA champion (Heat, Celtics) and he has plenty of experience. Adding a perimeter shooter to a deep roster would help immensely, especially off the bench. Allen may want to consider the Spurs over the Cavaliers because Cleveland is still rebuilding and will require a lot more playing time.
At this stage in Allen's Hall of Fame-level career, he has nothing else to prove. He holds almost every three-point shooting record known to man, both in the regular season and postseason. But adding another championship ring on the hand wouldn't hurt, either.
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