LeBron Met with Ray Allen, Sounds Like the Cavs Could Add Him After the All-Star Break

LeBron went to Miami a couple weeks ago while injured, and a lot of people dove for their jump-to-conclusions mat and said silly things about why he didn’t rehab in Cleveland, and how he must still love Miami and yes, it was all a colossal waste of time.

Now it has been revealed that while in Miami, LeBron met with free agent pal Ray Allen.

So it was a business trip.

What’s one of the best shooters in NBA history doing? Working out, of course. He’s up for returning to a contender after the All-Star break. He’s excited about another postseason run, and perhaps winning a 3rd ring. ESPN reported this morning Allen wants some sort of “late game minutes” guarantee, which could be a sticking point, but the guess here is that ultimately won’t be a problem.

Hmmmm.

The Cavs just added three new pieces to the rotation* (one hasn’t even debuted yet) and after hitting rock bottom at 19-20, they’ve peeled off four in a row to pass Milwaukee for the 5th spot in the East.

The second seed is well within reach.

Chicago is struggling. Toronto has cooled after the hot start. Atlanta has won 14 in a row, and for now is running away with the No. 1 seed. Thing is, only six games separate the Wizards (2nd seed) and Cavs (5th), and with 39 games to go, that shouldn’t be a massive hurdle.

[Aside: I actually think the bigger storyline is in Miami, where the Heat are 18-24, still can’t score, and are tied for 7th in the East. But Charlotte and Detroit are charging hard after slow starts, and I believe next month we’ll seriously be talking about whether or not the Heat will rest Wade and tank to keep their top 10 draft pick. Remember the 50-win talk over the summer? Reality: Life without LeBron is hard.]

Allen and the Cavs talked this summer, but wisely, he decided to rest up and join the team late. I have no problem with this. In fact, I endorse it. I think Peyton Manning should strong consider it. It’s a smart way to prolong a career, especially when a full season of 82 games, plus another 20 or so in the playoffs is far too many.

Hell, LeBron should take a few games off the rest of the way to rest up.

* We’re only a week early into the Mozgov/Smith era with the Cavs, but the depth chart? It’s nice: Mozgov/Thompson; Love/Marion; LeBron/Mike Mikker; JR Smith/Shumpert; Irving/Dellavedove.