Free-agent shooting guard Ray Allen will visit the Clippers on Friday, The Times has confirmed after speaking with two NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
The Clippers also continue to have interest in shooting guards Jason Terry and J.R. Smith, the executives said, but no visit have been planned as of yet. The Clippers continue to talk with both players’ representatives.
The Clippers will have free-agent guard Jamal Crawford in Tuesday for a sit down at the team’s facility to gauge his interesting in joining the team.
In Allen, a 16-year veteran who turns 37 later this month, the Clippers view him as a very good fit as well because of his tremendous outside shooting ability.
The Clippers like the idea of the 6-5 Allen playing alongside the penetrating Chris Paul because he can space the floor for Blake Griffin.
Allen, who had surgery on his right ankle last month, averaged 14.2 points and shot 45% from three-point range last season with the Boston Celtics.
Allen has made 2,718 career three-pointers, the most in NBA history.
The Celtics, Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies also are interested in Allen, who won an NBA title in Boston in 2008.
The Clippers have the mid-level exception that they are willing to spend on Allen, who’ll probably be offered a two-year deal by L.A.
A mid-level exception can be worth a maximum of $21.7 million over four years, starting at $5 million in the first season.
--Broderick Turner
