It’s official: Paul Pierce is returning to his home of Los Angeles. Everyone’s known for a while now that Pierce was either staying with the Wizards or heading to the Clippers.
Dan Woike of the Orange County Register first reported the news
#Clippers have agreed to a deal with Paul Pierce, per NBA source
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 1, 2015
David Aldridge of TNT reported Pierce’s salary:
Pierce deal is at the mini-mid level for taxpaying teams, per sources. Two years beginning at $3.3, with option for third year.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 1, 2015
Three-year deal is worth about $10.5 million, though I doubt Pierce will ever see that third year. Tough blow for Wizards.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 1, 2015
Wow, three years is a long deal for a 37-year old. However, as far as guys in their late 30s not named Tim Duncan, Paul Pierce ages better than anyone. He’s never been very athletic, and so his body is still in solid condition for his age. He showed this season that he can still be a major factor on a playoff team, and that is what the Clippers are hoping to bring for next year. Pierce is still one of the best crunch-time shooters in the NBA, and in L.A. he will be re-united with his former head coach Doc Rivers.
This certainly is tough for the Wizards, who were optimistic about re-signing Pierce. The Truth was a big part of the Wizards’ playoff run this offseason, and he will definitely be missed in DC.
