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Could Ray Allen make a comeback — and return to Boston?

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Ray Allen says he’s considering a comeback — and Boston is on the list of potential destinations.Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has made it clear that the team still views shooting as a pressing need, and it sounds like one former Celtics sharpshooter is available and willing.

Ray Allen, 41, who has not played professionally since the end of the 2013-14 season, is seriously considering a comeback. And during an interview at his instructional camp in East Granby, Conn., on Saturday, he told the Hartford Courant that he had spoken to the Celtics and Bucks — two of his former teams — about playing next year.

"I would love going back to those places if it worked out, because both teams are good, too," Allen told the Courant. "It doesn't necessarily have to be championship-or-bust for me to go back to the NBA."

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Allen averaged 16.5 points and 3.4 rebounds over five seasons in Boston from 2007-12 before joining LeBron James and the Miami Heat for two seasons.

It's unclear if the Celtics are considering bringing Allen back.

Boston currently has 18 players under contract, and 16 have fully guaranteed deals for next year. The roster will need to be trimmed to 15 players before the regular season begins.

There would be questions about Allen's defensive capabilities, particularly at his age, but he was known as one of the most well-conditioned athletes in the NBA. If nothing else, it is an intriguing possibility, even if it is a long shot.

"I've been watching, seeing what teams have been doing," Allen said, "and I've been waiting to see if the opportunity presented itself where I think I could fit."


Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @adamhimmelsbach.