Editing Ray Allen (section)

====1996–1999: early years in Milwaukee====
Allen was drafted by the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] with the fifth pick of the [[1996 NBA draft]]. Immediately after his selection, Allen and [[Andrew Lang (basketball)|Andrew Lang]] were traded to the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] for the rights to fourth pick [[Stephon Marbury]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/draft2002/history/history_96draft.html|title=NBA.com: 1996 NBA Draft, First Round|website=www.nba.com|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-date=June 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627065832/https://www.nba.com/draft2002/history/history_96draft.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 24, 1996, Allen signed a 3-year, $6.2 million contract with the Bucks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nba/miami-heat/ray-allen-2209/transactions/ |title=Ray Allen |website=sportrac.com |access-date=July 30, 2021 }}</ref> Allen made his NBA debut on November 1, 1996, where he started and played 28 minutes and scored 13 points in a win against fellow rookie [[Allen Iverson]] and the [[Philadelphia 76ers]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ballislife.com/allen-iverson-nba-debut/|title=(1996) Allen Iverson & Ray Allen Make Their NBA Debuts Against Each Other|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726005802/http://ballislife.com/allen-iverson-nba-debut/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On January 12, 1997, Allen put in one of his strongest efforts of the season in a win against the [[Golden State Warriors]], contributing 22 points, 6 assists, 3 steals and a new career high of 9 rebounds. In February 1997, Allen competed in the [[Slam Dunk Contest]] during [[1997 NBA All-Star Game|All-Star Weekend]], where he finished fourth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/allstar2002/slamdunk/year_by_year.html|title=NBA.com: Slam Dunk Year-by-Year Results|website=www.nba.com|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-date=December 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219213329/http://www.nba.com/allstar2002/slamdunk/year_by_year.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Continuing his strong rookie season, on March 25, 1997, Allen scored a new career high of 32 points in a loss to the [[Phoenix Suns]]. Allen was named to the [[NBA All-Rookie Second Team]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/awards/all-rookie-team|title=Year-by-year NBA All-Rookie Teams|website=NBA.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-27}}</ref>

In the 1997–98 season, Allen played and started all 82 games for the Bucks. In the season opener, he put up 29 points, including 6 three-pointers in a win against the 76ers. On December 20, 1997, Allen set a new career high of 35 points against the [[New York Knicks]]. On the brink of missing the playoffs for the second straight year, on April 18, 1998, the last game of the regular season, Allen tallied a 40-point double-double with 10 rebounds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804180MIL.html|title=Minnesota Timberwolves at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score, April 18, 1998|website=Basketball-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726005732/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199804180MIL.html|url-status=live}}</ref>