A source tells FOX Sports that Ray Allen is expected back with the Heat next season. There's a "good chance" Allen opts out of his $3.229 million player option for the 2013-14 season, but doesn't mean his time in Miami is over. He could re-sign with the Heat for a max payday of $3.708 million next season and get anything up to a four-year deal. Of course, Allen will be 38 next month and the Heat will want to keep his contract as short as possible. Regardless, both sides want to get a deal done eventually and are expected to.

Ray Allen is not expected to opt in with the Heat, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Even if Allen doesn't opt in, it doesn't mean he's leaving. Allen can sign a new deal that would call for him to make more money by opting out and then re-signing with the team, so that's a scenario on the table. Allen is expected to be a free agent and the Heat won't be allowed to re-sign him officially until July 10. Miami has already said retaining him is the top priority.

The Heat have made retaining Ray Allen their initial offseason priority. Allen has a $3.229 million player option for the 2013-14 season. He has until Sunday to decide whether he'll pick it up. "We think the ultimate recruiting pitch is what we just did," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "But we won't take that for granted. There will certainly be communication between us and Ray. He was such an important piece of what we did."

Ray Allen has to decide on his player option for next season by June 30. Allen's teammates expect him to return, but he hasn't stated his intentions publicly one way or another. He seemed very pleased with his decision to go to Miami after the Heat won the title, so it would be a fairly large surprise if he opted out.

Ray Allen hasn't decided about picking up his player option for next season and will address it after the NBA Finals. There is no rush for Allen to make his decision, and if the Heat go on to beat the Spurs, it would seem like a no-brainer that Allen returns to Miami. It's always possible he decides to hang up the sneakers as well and goes out on top as a champion, but retirement doesn't seem to be something he's currently considering.

Erik Spoelstra praised Ray Allen, saying he's been "exactly what we wanted this year." "He's a fourth-quarter killer with the mindset that you have to know and be aware of where he is at all times in the fourth quarter," Spoelstra said. Allen averages 10 minutes during the fourth-quarter, the highest average during his 17-year career. "He creates more space for our best players," Spoelstra added.

Ray Allen made all 10 free throws attempts in Game 2's 115-78 win over the Bulls and had a game-high 21 points with three boards, one steal, one block, one 3-pointer and no turnovers in 19 minutes. He set his season high for free throw makes on the opening night of the regular season with seven and made averaged just 1.8 per game all year. Allen has stepped it up in the playoffs and he's scored at least 20 points in three of the six games. He scored at least 20 in just seven of his 79 games this regular season. Miami hasn't played many close games, but it's nice to see that one of the best shooters ever still has it.

Ray Allen made four 3-pointers in Sunday's 88-77 win over the Bucks, scoring 16 points, seven boards, one steal and one turnover. He set the record earlier in the series for most career 3-pointers in the postseason and he's been a big part of Miami's success while Dwyane Wade recovers from his ailing knee. Allen hit five 3-pointers in Game 3 on Thursday and he's a great complementary piece on the perimeter with LeBron James slashing to the basket.

Ray Allen hit 6-of-13 shots and two 3-pointers on his way to 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in an easy Game 1 win over the Bucks. Allen played very well and his outside shooting should be a key for the Heat as they plan on making a run deep into the playoffs.

Ray Allen hit 8-of-18 shots and a 3-pointer for 23 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals in Wednesday's win over the Wizards. Allen even turned back the clock and dunked tonight, and clearly benefitted by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh watching in street clothes. The 23 points tied his season high, but the other one came way back on Nov. 3.