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| The Celtics’ Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce captured the 2008 NBA title in their first season together |
The Boston Globe
The Big Three is officially a memory because Ray Allen is headed to South Beach.
Late Friday night, Allen agreed to join the Miami Heat on a three-year contract, according to NBA sources. Heat owner Micky Arison let the NBA world know of the news through Twitter, making Allen’s departure from the Celtics painfully official.
NBA players cannot officially sign new contracts until the moratorium ends July 11.
Allen will go to Miami for half the money the Celtics were offering, choosing the better weather, the chance to play with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, and a fresh start with a new team.
Allen was unhappy during his final season in Boston, again placed on the trading block because of his expiring contract. He was forced to approach coach Doc Rivers about moving to the bench when second-year guard Avery Bradley began to blossom as a defensive force.
The Celtics attempted a late run at Allen, offering $6 million per season for two years and promising a more defined role. But the signing of Jason Terry, another 3-point marksman, clouded Allen’s status.
On Thursday, Allen met with Heat president Pat Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra, and team executive Alonzo Mourning, but left without agreeing to a contract. He returned to Boston Friday and informed the Heat of his decision in the evening.
For the Celtics, it marks the end of the Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Allen, who joined forces in 2007 and won an NBA title in 2008, lost in the seventh game of the 2010 Finals, and reached the Eastern Conference finals just this year against the Heat.
Allen only started in the Heat series because Bradley was out because of shoulder surgery. Allen played with bone spurs in his right ankle, limiting his effectiveness. Allen underwent surgery to remove the spurs and the Celtics believed he would be ready to begin the season.
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