Report: Paul Pierce set on playing next season, probably won't exercise player option
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Paul Pierce considered ending his Hall of Fame career on a near-heroic moment: a would-be game-tying 3-pointer in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, released milliseconds after the buzzer that ended the Washington Wizards season.
"I don't have too much more of these efforts left, if any," the 37-year-old said after the gut-wrenching loss. "These rides throughout the NBA season, throughout the playoffs, are very emotional. They take a lot out of not only your body, but your mind, your spirit."
Apparently, given some time to mull things over, Pierce has abandoned any notions of hanging up his sneakers, and is now set on returning for an 18th NBA season in 2015-16, according to Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post.
What's unclear is where he plans to play. Pierce has a $5.5-million player option with the Wizards for next season, and has until the end of June to decide whether he'll exercise it. Castillo reports that Piece probably won't exercise his option, although that doesn't necessarily spell an exit from Washington. He's spoken glowingly about his one season with the Wizards, where he thrived as both a crunch-time shot maker, a leader and mentor to the talented young nucleus.
Still, a report last month suggested Pierce might opt out of his deal and sign with longtime former coach Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers. The pairing, on paper, seems like a great fit, and not just because Pierce hails from Los Angeles and has history with Rivers - who he won a title with as a member of the Boston Celtics in 2008.
The Clippers have fallen just short of the Western Conference Finals in the past two seasons, but they have the talent to compete for a championship, and a wing like Pierce who can defend, post up, and space the floor with his shooting may be exactly what they need. Lance Stephenson probably isn't the answer.
For all their apparent growth during the postseason, the Wizards are a good deal further from contention. If next season is to be Pierce's last, few teams offer as good an opportunity for him to retire as a champion as the Clippers.
Los Angeles is capped out, and will be butting up against the luxury tax if and when they re-sign All-Defensive center DeAndre Jordan. That means they'd likely only be able to offer Pierce the mini mid-level exception ($3.37 million). But at the tail end of a career that's seen him make some $190 million, Pierce may be willing to take a pay cut.
- With h/t to EoB