There was some deliberation as to whether or not Paul Pierce would be returning for his 19th NBA season. Pierce, 38, is still locked in with the Los Angeles Clippers for 2016-17, but the veteran could still opt to retire before training camp.
Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, who won a title with Pierce as his coach in Boston, is adamant that Pierce is obligated to finish his career as a member of the Boston Celtics.
Following from Chris Forsberg of ESPN:
“I think it’s important. I think we have to do that. And I think we will. Danny [Ainge] and Mike [Zarren], we’ve already talked. The day he retires, he’s going to retire a Celtic. He has to. Paul’s a Celtic. So when he retires he’s got to retire as a Celtic. I don’t think anyone disagrees with me.”
Pierce spent the first 15 seasons of his career in Boston. He’s one of the great Celtics of all time. Ensuring that he finishes his career there would obviously mean Rivers and the Clippers pulling some strings, starting with waiving him. Rivers is still waiting for Pierce’s final say on this upcoming season:
“Depends on the day I talk to him. Paul has had the summer, he’s gone back and forth. I think he has a right to do that. I really do. And so, you know, Paul didn’t have the best year last year. I don’t think he wants to go out that way, so I think that’s why he’s working to try to come back. But he still may change his mind next week. So we just have to wait. I told him if I see him at training camp, I’m assuming he’s playing.”
Pierce has said that he has one more season left in him. If that is in fact the case, he may encourage the process to end up in Boston for his last go round.
Rivers first publicly co-signed on the idea over the summer. He appears even more willing to do his part. We’ll have to see where Pierce stands when training camp starts.
