Among numerous NBA executives with an interest in signing free-agent guard Ray Allen, there's a growing belief that Allen will not play in the league this season.

Allen still hasn't delivered word through his agent, Jim Tanner, that he wants to play – never mind begin the process of choosing a team, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Allen has been working out, but nothing to the level that would indicate an imminent return to get into NBA playing shape, sources tell Yahoo Sports. Still, there's time for Allen to make a decision, but as one general manager said Friday, "It's getting late in the game for this to happen."

There has long been an assumption the Cleveland Cavaliers would be frontrunners to sign Allen, but teams had been told that Allen would be open to opportunities throughout the league if he decided to play. Most contenders had an interest in Allen, but several have lost eagerness in checking with his agent about the status of Allen's decision process.

Allen, 39, has had a Hall of Fame career and could retire now as a two-time NBA champion and the league's most prolific 3-point shooter. He has spent the season splitting time between Florida and his Connecticut home, and those who know him well say he's been content in living a family life beyond the NBA.

Allen played 73 games and averaged 9.6 points for the Miami Heat last season. Across 18 seasons, Allen averaged nearly 19 points a game.

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