The Phoenix Suns have surfaced as serious contenders to sign Boston Celtics free agent Ray Allen, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

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Allen, 37, is willing to explore offers beyond Boston. The Suns – regardless of whether they re-sign free-agent point guard Steve Nash – interest Allen, sources said.

The Suns have significant salary-cap space, and could pay Allen more than the Miami Heat or New York Knicks. Suns president Lon Babby had been Allen’s agent for a significant part of his career until Babby started running Phoenix’s basketball operations two years ago.

[Related: Steve Nash won't lack for free-agent options]

Some have suggested that Allen is likely destined for the Heat, but sources indicate that while the Heat remain a possibility, they’re not currently the leaders for him. Allen has expressed some interest in still returning to the Celtics, who will have extension talks with him and free agent Kevin Garnett.







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