Ray Allen is saying goodbye to Boston and is ready to take his silky-smooth jump shot to Miami, where he will be joining forces with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
Allen reportedly told the Heat on Friday that he will make the move to South Beach, just weeks after the champs ousted his Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals before taking care of the Oklahoma City Thunder to get the title that has alluded James for his entire career.
Now it looks like the Heat just got even better.
Allen is reportedly taking less money by going to Miami than he would’ve received if he stayed with the Celtics, the team he’s been with for the last five seasons. Miami was only able to offer Allen its mini mid-level, which comes out to be about $3 million a year.
Though contracts can’t be made official until next week, several members of the Heat organization, including owner Micky Arison, confirmed the news through Twitter late Friday night.
“Its 2:30am in London and I was just woken up with great news. Welcome to the family #20!!” tweeted Arison, who didn’t mention Allen by name, but offered his followers a major clue by posting Allen’s jersey number.
Said league MVP and newly crowned NBA champ LeBron James, “please welcome our newest teammate Ray Allen,” also adding “Wow” with a hashtag connected to it.
“Gotta take a break from my teammates Re Wedding anniversary to say WELCOME!!! #HeatNation continues to grow,” tweeted the Heat’s other superstar, Wade.
Allen, who turns 37 later this month, has played in 16 seasons during his NBA career, and is considered one of the game’s greatest shooters.
He joined the Celtics in the 2007-2008 season to form a big three with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
