There is yet another great player to be in the great free agent class of 2010. Pierce told the Celtics today that he will opt out of his contract and become a free agent. This will be the first time Pierce is a free agent in his entire career. Pierce was scheduled to make over $21 million next season, and could very well make that next year. Opting out, the maximum contract Pierce can get is 4 years, $96 million from the Celtics and up to $93 million for the other 29 teams.
Like Nowitzki, it is unlikely that Pierce will leave the Celtics. Pierce, the 2008 Finals MVP, has been with Boston his entire career. He is also the Celtics' 3rd leading scorer in history, only behind Larry Bird and John Havlicek. Also, Pierce's career scoring average is 22.5, trailing only Larry Bird in Celtics history.
Sources say that the first team Pierce would meet with on July 1 wound in fact be the Boston Celtics. This comes as a bit of a shock because Pierce's stock has hardly been talked about throughout the playoffs and offseason. His potential departure, along with Ray Allen, could mean the end for "The Big Three". Doc Rivers' departute could also effect the Celtics, as they would be left without a Head Coach for bits of the offseason. If all three leave, the Celtics could be headed down the Eastern Conference ranks. If Ray Allen re-signs with the Celtics, I think there would be a 100% chance Pierce re-signs, too. But, if Allen doesn't return to the Celtics, I predict the chance of Pierce returning being slightly lower. However, I think Pierce will return to Boston eventually.
Paul Pierce came to the NBA in 1998, after being named to the Big 12 First team. He was selected by the Celtics with the 10th overall pick, taken right behind fellow free agent, Dirk Nowitzki. He became a star a few seasons later after his late game heroics and great shooting skills. He and Antoine Walker formed a great scoring duo, but neither could lead the team to Finals. After Walker was traded to the Heat in the 05-06 season, Pierce was left to carry the Celtics on his own. After acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen before the 07-08 season, people were quick to say that the Celtics had one of the best three man corps in NBA history. Many analysts agreed that the Celtics would win the title and they were right, as the Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers in 6 games. Pierce was named MVP of the series and he had finally won his ring. In the 2009-10 season, Pierce and Rajon Rondo led the Celtics to a great postseason run and yet again, they would play the Lakers in the Finals. The Celtics lost the series after losing Game 7, 83-79. If he leaves, Pierce would leave as one of the greatest Celtics ever. He truly carried the Celtics throughout the last decade. But, I think he'll stay in Boston in the end. Since he has done so much for the city of Boston, I think his heart's there and he will eventually retire as a Celtic.
