Nets GM on Paul Pierce's comments: 'What he was told and what I said was not the truth'

The back-and-forth exchange between Paul Pierce and Brooklyn Nets general manager Billy King continues.

A couple of weeks ago, King said that while money was a factor in not re-signing Pierce, the Nets still wanted him back but moved on after getting hints that the future Hall of Famer was headed elsewhere.

Pierce responded earlier this week, saying that he began looking at his options only after not receiving an offer from the Nets, adding that Brooklyn "wanted to cut costs" and that the Nets "felt like they weren't going to be a contender."

Now King is saying that's simply untrue.

“What he was told and what I said was not the truth,” King said, according to the New York Post. “But I respect Paul, I’m happy he’s still playing. I’m happy he played and did well for us last year, but he’s with the Wizards now, and we’re here.

“Our goal is to still to try to win a championship. We’re not taking steps back or anything like that. We’re trying to build a team we think can win.”

Neither the Nets nor Wizards can be considered championship contenders, but both are coming off second-round appearances in the 2013-14 postseason. They are, however, possible dark-horse candidates to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. 

The Nets will have to hope Brook Lopez can stay healthy, Deron Williams' ankles hold up and Kevin Garnett can be a more effective presence than he was last season.

If not, they could be hard-pressed to even return to the postseason.