Paul Pierce Re-signs with the Celtics
Boston is a happy town tonight, as the big three that have already won an NBA Championship together are all officially signed up to try for two more.
Boston Celtics team leader Paul Pierce has re-signed with the team he took to the title in 2008, symbolically patting teammates Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen on the back, both of whom are signed up for the next two seasons.
While making the official announcement, the Celts did not go into the specific details of Pierce’s contract. ESPN’s Ric Bucher stated that it was a four-year, $61 million deal. The Boston Herald reported that the contract contains a mutual option for the final year.
By re-signing, Pierce negates a previous contract, which was to pay him over $20 million next season. But by re-signing for a lesser figure, he creates important cap room and wins long-term security with the club.
The Celtics squared off against the Los Angeles Lakers in the final this year, with the latter barely holding on to a victory in game seven. Pierce is the second player the Celtics have re-signed, following Ray Allen, 35, whom was signed on Tuesday. They also picked up forward Jermaine O’Neal, 31, from Miami. Totalled those guys have an incredible 54 seasons of professional NBA experience. Finally Doc Rivers, who was considering retiring to spend more time with his family, has decided to return for a seventh season, rounding out the franchise.
Fans are already predicting a Celtics – Miami Heat Conference final, where it would be a clash of threes—Garnett, Pierce and Allen taking on James, Wade and Bosh. With the acquisition of those guys, the Heat significantly stepped up their game and ante, and expectations are heavy on them.
Paul Pierce was the MVP of the 2008 finals—the only one this Celtics team won, although more were expected. He has been faithful to the Boston Celtics franchise for 12 years, and is the Celtics’ third highest scorer, with 19,899 points. Only Larry bird and John Havlicek have scored more.
"Paul has been a cornerstone of our franchise for the last decade and we could not be more pleased that he is returning to the team," Danny Ainge, Celts’ president of operations said in a statement.
Pierce was a first round pick out of Kansas in 1998. He appeared in his eighth All-Star game last season, during which he averaged 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
Visibly happy, he said: "I am very excited to be back in Boston. I have always said that I would love to retire as a Celtic and re-signing here will allow me to do that. I would like to thank Danny, Doc, the ownership group and the rest of the organization. I'm thrilled that they kept the core intact and look forward to getting back on the parquet with my teammates so we can bring Banner 18 home to Boston."
Boston hopes for another long playoff run, and bets are on with the emergence of point guard Rajon Rondo and the signing of O’Neal. Kendrick Perkins remains sidelined recuperating from knee surgery, but expects to be back well before the playoffs next season.
In the event that Pierce fulfills his contractual obligations with the club, he’ll have been with them for 16 years, matching Havlicek for most seasons with the team.
The club was thrilled at his return. Team owner and CEO Wyc Grousbeck said: "Since day one, I have seen Paul as a lifetime Celtic and this deal is another big step towards that goal. He's a champion and a finals' MVP but also a true champion in the community.”
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