SuperSonics guard Allen moves toward free agency

As Thursday came and went, Seattle SuperSonics guard Ray Allen resigned himself to becoming a free agent, unable to work out a contract extension with the team he led to the second round of the playoffs before his contract expired at midnight.

In a telephone interview with the News Tribune, Allen said his agent, Lon Babby, and Sonics general manager Rick Sund spoke again this week but once again was unable to build on the five-year, $75 million offer that has been on the table since late February.

“At this stage, there is nothing,” said Allen, on the East Coast with his family after vacationing in Mexico.

Despite not reaching an agreement with Seattle, Allen said he is not upset with the Sonics.

“I’m not at all bitter,” Allen said. “We had a team full of free agents this season. And the only way to be able to do what we did was to stay together.”

Under the terms of the league’s new collective bargaining agreement, Allen can sign a six-year contract with the Sonics and only a five-year deal with other teams. The Sonics also can offer him 10 percent raises while other teams are limited to offering 8 percent raises.

Although he did not come out and demand a six-year deal, he intimated that he wanted Seattle to extend any deal as far it could go.

“We don’t really know yet,” Allen said of his new contract requests. “We will probably discuss that tomorrow. But obviously, going longer term is always more beneficial to us.”

Sonics CEO Wally Walker declined an interview request, saying he had nothing new to report.

Under the terms of the new CBA (final details are not yet available), it is believed the Sonics could offer Allen a contract for as much as $115 million over six years. It is unlikely, however, they will offer any more than their current $75 million, and it seems unlikely they offer a sixth season because of concerns about Allen’s age. He will turn 30 this month.

Allen is likely to get a call from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are believed to have targeted Allen behind Michael Redd of the Milwaukee Bucks, five years Allen’s junior. The Cavaliers are an estimated $28 million under the salary cap. The Cavs also are enamored of Antonio Daniels, an unrestricted free agent who can sign with any team.

If Redd re-signs with the Bucks, Allen is next on their list – although a source said it is unlikely the Cavs will offer Allen a max contract because of his age.

Allen is likely to get calls from New Orleans, Atlanta and the Los Angeles Clippers, all of whom have cap room.