Paul Pierce to opt out of his contract and become free-agent

[mkwest]

Paul Pierce is "definitely" ‎playing next season and plans to pass on his player option with the Washington Wizards which is valued at $5.54 million, a source told ESPN.com's Marc Stein.

The question is which team Pierce will play for. According to a report in the Washington Post, Pierce will either return to the Wizards or join the Los Angeles Clippers to be reunited with his former head coach Doc Rivers.

The Clippers can acquire Pierce by offering him the taxpayer mid-level exception worth slightly less than $3.4 million. Washington will be able to offer Pierce a new deal starting in excess of $6 million once he opts out.

Marc Stein, ESPN

[nickhx2]

well, that's step one in the right direction for us

[Neddy]

I sure hope that is the case, but my gut feeling says he is taking twice the money we can give him and stay in DC. I truly hope I am wrong and the difference of 3 million isn't going to be the deciding factor for Truth.

[Quake Griffin]

As long as Paulie can still defend, I'm fine with it.

We need defense on these wings man.

[mttwlsn16]

He lives in LA and is close with Doc. I don't see any reason he would have opted out of his Wizards deal unless it's because he wanted to join our squad.

[nickhx2]

yeah it's hard for me to think he's hustling for the extra 500k in his pocket after making over 100m or something?

lots of small things point to him joining with us.

[Clippers_FTW]

when you put it in the realm of just an xtra 500k it really does look like he re-joins with Doc Rivers in LA. He would be kind of a dick to hustle Washington for a measly 500,000 dollars. I wouldn't even think it would be worth the effort for someone who has made so much money in his career. Easy think would have been for him to opt in leaving the team with more money to play with. He wanted to come to LA last year and we couldn't get it done. Hopefully he comes this year. Really could have used him in the playoff's.

[Method28]

For Pierce, 500k is another few hands of poker guys! He's a born hustler. He could go either way with this IMO.

[og15]

It doesn't seem to make much sense for him to opt out if he's going back to the Wiz, very odd situation there

[LACtdom]

But then again, we thought we would get PP last time. Maybe he is just searching for one last pay day from any team wanting his services.

[Lindecision]

I don't see DC offering PP more than 1 year as that carries into KD's free agency. I don't see another team putting up a better offer than the MMLE of 3 years $10.6M. But I also don't see how Wilson Chandler isn't a better option in this spot when the MMLE can be used for a backup big like Darrell Arthur.

[Ranma]

ESPN.com news Services (6/21/15)

The Wizards have made it clear they want Pierce back and expressed how much better they have become because of him.

"He's a great leader, great mentor," point guard John Wall said following the team's series-ending Game 6 loss to the Hawks. "Just seeing his competitive drive and how hard he works, being the first and last guy here, never making excuses, that is something we can use."

"Just to see his footwork, his competitive drive, how he talked junk, how he wanted to make the big shots, how he had so much confidence, he has built that in us."

"Paul Pierce is a Hall-of-Fame player, and he brought so much to the Wizards this year -- on the court as well as off," Wizards owner Ted Leonsis wrote on his personal blog in June. "When people struggle to describe the 'It Factor,' all they need to do is look at Paul."

Paul Pierce 'Definitely' Playing Next Season




Jorge Castillo, Washington Post (6/20/15)

Pierce averaged career lows in points (11.2) and minutes (26.2) and was a defensive liability at times in a diminished role last season, but provided the leadership the Wizards sought and became a fan favorite in the District with a memorable postseason performance.
...

“I’m just thankful I was able to have an influence on this group, give something to them hopefully,” Pierce said after the Wizards’ season-ending Game 6 loss to the Hawks last month. “Whether I’m here next year or I’m not, I’ve left something here with these young guys that they can carry on the rest of their career – understanding what it’s like to be a pro, understanding what it’s going to take to take your game and your career to the next level. Hopefully that’s something I’ve given them, and they understand it and move forward with it.”

Paul Pierce Will Forgo His Wizards Option and Become a Free Agent


Jorge Castillo, Washington Post (6/19/15)

...Pierce, who turns 38 in October, could sign a one-year deal for more than $5.5 million to stick around, which would also help the Wizards keep the flexibility they desire for the much anticipated summer of 2016.

The Clippers will likely only be able to offer Pierce the mini-midlevel exception of $3.37 million, but they are arguably closer to hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy than the Wizards — even in the tough Western Conference — and provide Pierce two amenities the Wizards cannot: A return home and a reunion with Doc Rivers. Pierce grew up in Los Angeles and Rivers, now the Clippers’ maestro as the organization’s coach and general manager, coached him for nine seasons with the Boston Celtics. They won the title together there in 2008.
...

If Pierce decides to continue his career elsewhere, the Wizards will have $64.7 million committed to 10 players next season. The salary cap is projected at $67.1 million and the luxury tax line at $81.6 million. Washington will also have the bi-annual and midlevel exceptions available when free agency begins on July 1.

The Wizards, on paper, would have some wiggle room to commit to a free agent long term this summer, but doing so would hurt their chances to land a superstar in the future and we hear a certain D.C. native is slated to hit the market next year. Pierce’s addition – beyond providing moxie, leadership and another shot-maker – was made with payroll flexibility in mind.

The Wizards’ Potential Plan If Paul Pierce Doesn’t Return


It's obvious that the Wizards want to bring Paul Pierce back for one more season even if it will cost them a little more to do so, so if it's the extra cash Pierce wants, he'll easily get it. However, as it was astutely pointed out earlier in this thread, is a relatively paltry $500,000 or even an extra million what he truly wants with his painful exit from the playoffs still fresh in his memory? With a rapidly closing window and a chance to establish his legacy by winning rings on both coasts in major media markets, I'd have to think he'd be leaning towards bringing the Truth's Grit™ to the Clips right now. Will that be his choice in the end? Who can say for certain?

Another thing to keep in mind is that the endorsement opportunities in L.A. should offset some of the lost cash albeit not much. Also, by signalling to Washington early of his intentions to jump ship, it may spur the Wizards organization to stew for a while about replacing his production from the wing without having much cap space while maintaining salary flexibility for the Summer of Durant. Maybe the Wizards could be convinced to alternatively just trade Pierce for Jamal Crawford straight up to address such concerns.

After all, Crawford is a 2-time Sixth Man of the Year within the past 6 seasons who also happens to shoot 35% from beyond the arc for his career while in possession of numerous flashy highlight clips. Not to mention the team option on his contract that doesn't extend beyond the upcoming season. Sure, you and I know he's a postseason no-show who doesn't play defense or efficiently, for that matter--and I'm sure the Wizards know this too--but getting something theoretically passable for a lost asset would allow them to use their limited resources to address other needs in order to fill out the roster since--like the Clippers--Washington would basically be limited to salary cap exceptions and minimum salaries.

If the Clippers can't convince the Wizards to play ball in such a scenario, which would be arguably mutually beneficial if Pierce were steadfast in his departure, I would further press our luck to try to convince him to sign for the vet minimum since it would help the team--and thus him--towards their shared commitment to win a championship in 2016, which should be their ultimate goal.

Given the circumstances, I'd have to think PP will choose the Clippers over the Wizards despite the respective uniforms he'd have to wear.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/_FlashGraffix_/status/612371330034454533[/tweet]

[Ranma]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/CBSSportsNBA/status/613029803608948736[/tweet]

[nickhx2]

before anyone gets their hopes up, the article's based on a report that happened a few days ago. here is the actual quote:

"Washington: As I reported as likely to happen a couple of weeks ago, Paul Pierce will opt out of his Wizards contract. The expectation among many around the league remains Pierce will wind up in L.A. with the Clippers."

please note that it's the "expectation" and not that he actually will "wind up" here.

[FAH1223]

Wiz fan here, the speculation is that he's going to end up with you guys.

Wall came back from that broken hand to play because he wanted to advance further because of Paul's diminishing window to win another title. Sucks he's going back home but he's earned that right.

He should help you guys close games out in the playoffs but Doc shouldn't be playing him more than 25 minutes per night. Randy Wittless actually did a good job keeping him fresh in the playoffs.

His defense has declined but he still has good footwork and fundamentals. He will have trouble guarding those quick PFs and SFs but he can still get his own shot vs. anyone.

[kylem4711]

Wiz fan here, the speculation is that he's going to end up with you guys.

Wall came back from that broken hand to play because he wanted to advance further because of Paul's diminishing window to win another title. Sucks he's going back home but he's earned that right.

He should help you guys close games out in the playoffs but Doc shouldn't be playing him more than 25 minutes per night. Randy Wittless actually did a good job keeping him fresh in the playoffs.

His defense has declined but he still has good footwork and fundamentals. He will have trouble guarding those quick PFs and SFs but he can still get his own shot vs. anyone.

It would be so awesome if we could get him. If not though, the wizards have always been cool with me. "I called game!"

[wassuphomeboy]

Better late than never. We have needed that second reliable perimeter crunch-time scoring option next to CP3 since he joined. Although he isn't a first scoring option anymore, if he does indeed choose the Clippers, it will open up more space and take less pressure off CP3 and Blake to create for themselves. He is also a wily veteran who always makes the correct basketball play and will also bring more leadership and championship experience to the team. He also brings a certain swagger that the team hasn't seen since Sam I Am. I'm all aboard this one.

[mj_shoefanatic]

Pierce off the bench would be grand.

[playaloc916]

Pierce still has some of that old man game left in him. Would be a good pickup and boost our overall talent quite a bit.