WALTHAM, Mass. -- Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said on Wednesday that he's spoken with free agent guard Ray Allen and believes he is "open" to returning to Boston for another season.

Ainge can't technically discuss a new contract with Allen until July 1, per NBA rules, but he said he has been able to get a feel for where Allen may be leaning.

"Yeah, I think Ray's open to coming back," Ainge said. "But, listen, I don't know. I won't even get into details with talking to players other than the exit interviews and Ray was getting rehab here, and we've talked. So I have a feel of where his head is, but I'll know more in July."

Allen, who's been reportedly linked to several other teams, including the Miami Heat, underwent right ankle surgery on June 13 to have bone spurs removed. While the rehab period gave Ainge extra time to speak with Allen, he said they hadn't broken into talks of a new contract.

"I have had conversations with Ray, yes," Ainge said. "Not contract-specific, but just sort of what his hopes and future [are], what he thinks about our team and would he like to come back and all those types of things. But I haven't had any more specifics and on July 1 we'll talk more to Ray."