Paul Pierce Set To Play Next Season; Likely To Decline Between Wizards, Clippers

Post #1 » by **RealGM Wiretap** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 4:48 pm

Paul Pierce said after the season that he was not sure whether he would continue his career, but he is set on playing in 2015-16, according to a source.

Pierce will likely decide between the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers for his 18th season.

Pierce has a player option with the Wizards worth $5.5 million.

The Clippers will likely only be able to offer Pierce the mini-midlevel exception of $3.37 million.

Via Jorge Castillo/Washington Post

Jermainevent · Post #2 » by **Jermainevent** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 5:12 pm

I understand wanting to get paid market value for your services, but he's made so much over his career that if he is sincere about making one last run at it, then money should not play much of a factor. With that being said, I'm not sure if either team provides a great opportunity of making it all the way.

Wildcat · Post #3 » by **Wildcat** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 5:23 pm

Jermainevent wrote:I understand wanting to get paid market value for your services, but he's made so much over his career that if he is sincere about making one last run at it, then money should not play much of a factor. With that being said, I'm not sure if either team provides a great opportunity of making it all the way.

You're talking about a guy would could be broke by the end of the decade.

A BETTER DJ · Post #4 » by **A BETTER DJ** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 5:26 pm

He should sign with the Cavs

Hakimbrook46 · Post #5 » by **Hakimbrook46** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 5:34 pm

Ralphy3699 wrote:
Jermainevent wrote:I understand wanting to get paid market value for your services, but he's made so much over his career that if he is sincere about making one last run at it, then money should not play much of a factor. With that being said, I'm not sure if either team provides a great opportunity of making it all the way.

You're talking about a guy would could be broke by the end of the decade.

Dude relax! Not every athlete gets broke after their career. U ever seen Piece wearing a pricey blings or riding multiple flashy cars? So that tells to it.

koogiking · Post #6 » by **koogiking** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 6:11 pm

Jermainevent wrote:I understand wanting to get paid market value for your services, but he's made so much over his career that if he is sincere about making one last run at it, then money should not play much of a factor. With that being said, I'm not sure if either team provides a great opportunity of making it all the way.

If teams are truly sincere about competing and making runs for titles they should pay players their worth if they truly believe said player will better their chances.

And yes I know the salary cap restrictions but it was the team owners that put in the restrictions so it's disingenuous for them to put that expectation on the players

Jermainevent · Post #7 » by **Jermainevent** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 7:07 pm

koogiking wrote:
Jermainevent wrote:I understand wanting to get paid market value for your services, but he's made so much over his career that if he is sincere about making one last run at it, then money should not play much of a factor. With that being said, I'm not sure if either team provides a great opportunity of making it all the way.

If teams are truly sincere about competing and making runs for titles they should pay players their worth if they truly believe said player will better their chances.

And yes I know the salary cap restrictions but it was the team owners that put in the restrictions so it's disingenuous for them to put that expectation on the players

So get rid of the cap and let small market teams suffer because they can't keep up?

koogiking · Post #8 » by **koogiking** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 7:14 pm

Jermainevent wrote:
koogiking wrote:
Jermainevent wrote:I understand wanting to get paid market value for your services, but he's made so much over his career that if he is sincere about making one last run at it, then money should not play much of a factor. With that being said, I'm not sure if either team provides a great opportunity of making it all the way.

If teams are truly sincere about competing and making runs for titles they should pay players their worth if they truly believe said player will better their chances.

And yes I know the salary cap restrictions but it was the team owners that put in the restrictions so it's disingenuous for them to put that expectation on the players

So get rid of the cap and let small market teams suffer because they can't keep up?

Small market teams already suffer due salary and luxury tax restrictions. Look at the Thunder.

FAH1223 · Post #9 » by **FAH1223** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 7:29 pm

If he's smart, he stays in DC.

More money, less playing time as Otto Porter emerges, will be fresh by the postseason, and its an "Easier" road to the NBA Finals.

Doc Rivers doesn't even have a true SF on the roster. Is he really expecting Pierce to play 30-35 MPG at age 38? I know they have CP3 and Blake, but still.

DJ3thenew23 · Post #10 » by **DJ3thenew23** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 8:49 pm

FAH1223 wrote:If he's smart, he stays in DC.

More money, less playing time as Otto Porter emerges, will be fresh by the postseason, and its an "Easier" road to the NBA Finals.

Doc Rivers doesn't even have a true SF on the roster. Is he really expecting Pierce to play 30-35 MPG at age 38? I know they have CP3 and Blake, but still.

Easier road to the Finals? I don't think LeBron is on the Wizards...

eureca20 · Post #11 » by **eureca20** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 8:50 pm

Jermainevent wrote:I understand wanting to get paid market value for your services, but he's made so much over his career that if he is sincere about making one last run at it, then money should not play much of a factor. With that being said, I'm not sure if either team provides a great opportunity of making it all the way.

End of the day its still a business. These NBA teams aren't going to pay it forward. You can be a teams franchise leading scorer and bring them a championship yet they will trade you like the Celtics did Pierce. They will low ball Dwyane Wade after being loyal to them for years and taking pay cuts. Its a nice thought of players taking less to try to win and it happens from time to time, but no reason to judge those who don't.

DJ3thenew23 · Post #12 » by **DJ3thenew23** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 8:52 pm

koogiking wrote:
Jermainevent wrote:
koogiking wrote:
If teams are truly sincere about competing and making runs for titles they should pay players their worth if they truly believe said player will better their chances.

And yes I know the salary cap restrictions but it was the team owners that put in the restrictions so it's disingenuous for them to put that expectation on the players

So get rid of the cap and let small market teams suffer because they can't keep up?

Small market teams already suffer due salary and luxury tax restrictions. Look at the Thunder.

The Thunder suffer because they didn't want to pay to keep the team together, not because they couldn't.

Sam195 · Post #13 » by **Sam195** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 9:09 pm

Other than Doc Rivers and the slight appeal of playing in his hometown - there is really no contending incentive to join the clippers over the wizards. I think Pierce and his agent are using the Clippers interest as leverage so Pierce can get a raise and possibly a two year deal as oppose to a one year contract. Pierce should be able to play at decent level till he's 40. Pierce even playing a limited role is very effective on the court and his leadership influence on the wizards is priceless. Had John Wall been healthy for the hawks series - wizards probably make it to the conference finals where they face the cavs without love and a roughed up Irving. Pierce would have upped a gear if he was playing lebron in the playoffs like he has in the past. So a finals apperance could have been in the cards this year. Wizards should be even better next season with an improved and healthy tandem of Wall and Beal. And Otto Porter was showing signs of why he was lottery pick in 2013. Wizards should be a contender next season if they are healthy and improve their bench. The only downside for the Wizards is that they have a sketchy coach with no proven track record of winning or success with young teams. I think the wizards would be an offensive juggernaut if they canned Randy Wittman and hired Mike D'antoni. I don't think Wittman will be an incentive in recruiting Durant in 2016. Wizards could play a similar style to the warriors if they also improve on defense.

olive_triangurl · Post #14 » by **olive_triangurl** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 9:16 pm

A BETTER DJ wrote:He should sign with the Cavs

Pierce would fit well, considering he's a clutch specialist, and considering LeBron missed 14 of his 17 field goals in clutch time during the 2015 Finals, including shots to win in regulation of Game 1 and Game 2.

Sam195 · Post #15 » by **Sam195** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 9:47 pm

olive_triangurl wrote:
A BETTER DJ wrote:He should sign with the Cavs

Pierce would fit well, considering he's a clutch specialist, and considering LeBron missed 14 of his 17 field goals in clutch time during the 2015 Finals, including shots to win in regulation of Game 1 and Game 2.

Pierce after accepting a trade to the nets and signing with the wizards has shown he's not a ring chaser. If he wins another title -he wants to be a noticeable contributor. He doesn't want to keep the bench warm for lebron and play against other team's 2nd units. Lol and pretty sure Pierce and Lebron have beef. So many stories out there - the two respect each other but clearly don't like one another.

olive_triangurl · Post #16 » by **olive_triangurl** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 10:22 pm

Sam195 wrote:
olive_triangurl wrote:
A BETTER DJ wrote:He should sign with the Cavs

Pierce would fit well, considering he's a clutch specialist, and considering LeBron missed 14 of his 17 field goals in clutch time during the 2015 Finals, including shots to win in regulation of Game 1 and Game 2.

Pierce after accepting a trade to the nets and signing with the wizards has shown he's not a ring chaser. If he wins another title -he wants to be a noticeable contributor. He doesn't want to keep the bench warm for lebron and play against other team's 2nd units. Lol and pretty sure Pierce and Lebron have beef. So many stories out there - the two respect each other but clearly don't like one another.

That's a relief, I'd hate to see one of my favorites play for the doomed Cavaliers.

12footrim · Post #17 » by **12footrim** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 10:54 pm

FAH1223 wrote:If he's smart, he stays in DC.

More money, less playing time as Otto Porter emerges, will be fresh by the postseason, and its an "Easier" road to the NBA Finals.

Doc Rivers doesn't even have a true SF on the roster. Is he really expecting Pierce to play 30-35 MPG at age 38? I know they have CP3 and Blake, but still.

We'll if true this greatly helps my fantasy team as he's my 10th keeper. That said I think this is a bad fit for him and the Clippers. We saw how effective he was in the playoffs and the previous year when he was playing PF, especially in crunch time. That's not going to happen with Blake Griffin sucking up all those minutes and unable to play anywhere else.

I really think that is the role he'd most thrive in at this point in his career as he will struggle to guard most SF or in many cases the way the NBA is going most SG's who are playing SF. I do think Barnes was a more capable wing defender at this point but the Clippers are his best chance at a title run still.

NashtyNas · Post #18 » by **NashtyNas** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 11:01 pm

FAH1223 wrote:If he's smart, he stays in DC.

More money, less playing time as Otto Porter emerges, will be fresh by the postseason, and its an "Easier" road to the NBA Finals.

Doc Rivers doesn't even have a true SF on the roster. Is he really expecting Pierce to play 30-35 MPG at age 38? I know they have CP3 and Blake, but still.

Actually the Wizards are never going to get past LeBron... so he's better off going to the Clips.
The only chance Wiz have of beating LeBron is adding Durant next summer, which is a possibility but so is winning the lottery.

FAH1223 · Post #19 » by **FAH1223** » Sun Jun 21, 2015 12:22 am

I_Socrates wrote:
FAH1223 wrote:If he's smart, he stays in DC.

More money, less playing time as Otto Porter emerges, will be fresh by the postseason, and its an "Easier" road to the NBA Finals.

Doc Rivers doesn't even have a true SF on the roster. Is he really expecting Pierce to play 30-35 MPG at age 38? I know they have CP3 and Blake, but still.

Actually the Wizards are never going to get past LeBron... so he's better off going to the Clips.
The only chance Wiz have of beating LeBron is adding Durant next summer, which is a possibility but so is winning the lottery.

There's one top team in the East

The West is loaded still

olive_triangurl · Post #20 » by **olive_triangurl** » Sun Jun 21, 2015 6:16 am

Clippers were really close to beating Houston, and Clippers match-up well with Warriors, so I like Clippers chances of winning the West more than Washington's chances of winning the East (gap between Cleveland and Washington is too big).