Likelihood of Ray Allen returning to Boston “diminished” after trade deadline incident, according to report

Ray Allen may or may not have been told he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. Regardless of the semantics, he knew the Celtics were close to trading him and would have dealt him if they found a package they liked. He, like the other members of the Big Three, was used as bait at the deadline as Danny Ainge looked to solidify the Celtics’ future, even if it came at a slight expense (or maybe more) to their present.The Celtics’ willingness to ship Allen anywhere could return to harm them this summer when Allen hits the free agent market. According to the Boston Globe, the deadly shooter’s interest in returning to Boston after the season has declined.It seems while the Celtics have undergone a resurgence – primarily because trades for Allen and Pierce never materialized – there has been a breakdown in communication and perhaps regard between management and those veteran players.The wedge may be too late to close. Allen wants to finish this season with a championship, but the likelih...