Allen Stays in Boston; Boozer Off to Chicago

The Boston Celtics‘ nucleus will remain intact in the coming season. Shooting guard Ray Allen has agreed to a $20-million, two-year contract with the Celtics, who had earlier succeeded in keeping Paul Pierce and coach Doc Rivers from leaving the team.

The development ensures that Boston’s top three players–Allen, Pierce, and Kevin Garnett–will be together again to help the Celtics emerge on top of the Eastern Conference, where the Miami Heat have suddenly become top contenders following agreements with top free agents Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade.

Allen helped the Celtics reach their second NBA Finals appearance in three years in the previous season, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games. He averaged 16.3 points last season and was a main cog, along with Pierce and Garnett, of the team that won the 2008 NBA championship.

Meanwhile, reports said Carlos Boozer, on of the marquee free agents this year, has agreed to sign with the Chicago Bulls, ending a six-year stay in Utah. Boozer will form a tough frontcourt with Joakim Noah and complement the scoring power of Derrick Rose. Boozer, who has averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in his eight-year career, will reportedly receive at least $75 million through five years.