LeBron James met with Ray Allen
CLEVELAND -- While the principal reason LeBron James visited Miami during his recent two-week rest period was to seek out warmer weather while he rehabbed strains in his left knee and lower back, he also had another item on his agenda.
During James' Miami jaunt, the four-time MVP met with free-agent guard and former Miami Heat teammate Ray Allento try to appeal to the league's all-time leader in 3-pointers again about joining the Cavs this season, multiple sources told ESPN.com.
Allen hasn't played since his 18th season ended with a Finals loss for the Heat to the San Antonio Spursin June.
ESPN Radio's Ryen Russillo reported last month that Allen's message to teams inquiring for his services earlier in the season was to check back with him in January and he would make his decision to return or not -- and which team to join if he did opt for season No. 19 -- in February.
Apart from James' face-to-face meeting with Allen, several other members of the Cavs have kept in contact with the shooting guard this season -- James Jones and Mike Miller, who also were Allen's teammates in Miami, as well as associate head coach Tyronn Lue, who was an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics when Allen played there.
Allen also vacationed with Jones and James this summer when they all visited the Bahamas together along with their families.
The 39-year-old hinted this week that a return could be in the cards, telling the Sun-Sentinel, "At my age, I need to stay in shape," when asked about a potential comeback.
The Cavs have 14 players on their roster with one slot open should they choose to sign Allen.
Going into Wednesday, Cleveland was tied for 17th in 3-point field goal percentage (.347) and 11th in 3-pointers made per game (8.3). The Cavs shot 5-for-24 (20.8 percent) from 3 in their 106-92 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
Allen played 73 games for the Heat in the regular season and all 20 postseason games last season. He averaged 9.3 points per game on 41 percent shooting in the playoffs.
