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Pierce: Celtics' bounty from trade to Nets 'just me giving back'

Chris Humphreys / USA TODAY Sports

Paul Pierce did a lot for the Boston Celtics, perhaps more than even he originally thought.

The veteran swingman spent 15 years with the organization, enduring his fair share of ups and downs that culminated in winning a championship in 2008. The 10-time All-Star gave the Celtics the best years of his career, and left in a 2013 trade to the Brooklyn Nets that Boston not only won in a landslide, but is still reaping rewards from.

Asked about how that transaction helped the future of the franchise, the Los Angeles Clippers small forward told Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe on Friday:

"I haven't really thought about it, but hey, that's just me giving back."

In exchange for what turned out to be one-year rentals of past-prime Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry, Boston received Keith Bogans, MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, Kris Joseph, and Gerald Wallace.

More importantly, general manager Danny Ainge secured a 2014 first-round pick that turned out to be James Young, a 2016 first-rounder that amounted to rookie Jaylen Brown, and a 2018 first-rounder. The Celtics can - and no doubt will - also swap first-round selections with the lottery-bound Nets this summer.

In the four years since the swap, which signaled a rebuild, the Celtics are doing pretty well. At 31-18, they're No. 2 in the East and led by an MVP candidate in Isaiah Thomas, who Pierce sees as a "championship-type player."

"I think they're really growing together," the 39-year-old said. "Isaiah Thomas is really playing well and (coach) Brad Stevens is able to bring his brilliant mind to the table. I just think they've got to grow together, and I think they've got a shot. Right now they're second in the East. I think they've got a shot. Anything can happen in the playoffs when you've got players playing at a high level and playing special each night like Isaiah. I feel like they have a chance."

Pierce, who's playing in his 19th and final campaign, will suit up for the last time at TD Garden on Sunday. The future Hall of Famer remains in contact with Ainge and said it's a "possibility" he'll someday return to the franchise following retirement.

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