MIAMI — Ray Allen is heading to the Heat.
A source confirmed to FOX Sports Florida on Friday night that the free-agent shooting guard will join Miami, where he visited Thursday. Heat owner Micky Arison had tweeted at 9:30 p.m. EDT that it was "2:30 a.m. in London and I was just woken up with great news. Welcome to the family #20!!"
Allen, who played the last five years with Boston, wears jersey No. 20.
Allen is expected to sign a three-year, $9.5 million deal next Wednesday, the first day free agents can sign. The most the Heat could offer was a contract with a first-year salary of $3.09 million.
The Celtics offered Allen, 36, a two-year, $12 million deal to stay in Boston. However, Allen, who won an NBA title with the Celtics in 2008, has determined Miami would offer a better chance to get a second championship ring.
Allen had been courted by Miami star LeBron James to join the Heat. James had sent two recent tweets indicating he hoped it would happen.
After it finally did happen. James tweeted, "Please welcome our newest teammate Ray Allen #Wow #JesusShuttlesworth," a reference to Allen playing that role in the 1998 movie "He Got Game." James later tweeted a doctored photo with Allen wearing a Heat No. 20 jersey.
The Celtics had wanted Allen to stay even though they agreed earlier this week to a deal with free-agent combo guard Jason Terry for $15.675 million over three years. Terry had told FOX Sports Florida he had wanted the Celtics to also bring back Allen.
The Heat have visits scheduled Saturday with free-agent center Marcus Camby and Sunday with free-agent forward Rashard Lewis. While it wasn't immediately clear if Allen's commitment affects Lewis' visit, a source said Friday night Camby still plans to visit due to the possibly of the Heat being able to work out a sign-and-trade with Houston, where Camby finished last season.
Camby does not have an interest in the veteran's minimum of $1.35 million, which is all the Heat have left after the commitment by Allen. However, a source said the Rockets would be willing to do a sign-and-trade with any team for Camby if they can get back pieces they like. Camby is now seeking to leave Houston because he is said to believe the team is rebuilding.
Allen is a 16-year veteran who has a career scoring average of 20.0 and has been selected to 10 All-Star Games. He's the NBA’s all-time leader with 2,718 three-pointers made. His career three-point percentage is 40.0.
Allen should get plenty of open looks next season as foes concentrate on Heat stars James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. With sharpshooter Mike Miller’s career in doubt due to possible back surgery, the Heat entered the free-agency period wanting another outside shooter.
They got one in No. 20.
Chris Tomasson can be reached at christomasson@hotmail.com or on Twitter @christomasson
