Clippers' Paul Pierce: Will see more time at power forward this season

Clippers coach Doc Rivers said Monday that Pierce will see more time at power forward rather than small forward this season, Dan Woike of the Orange County Register reports.

Analysis:

Pierce, who announced earlier Monday that the 2016-17 season would be his last in the NBA, has served as a small forward for nearly the entirety of his career, but received some looks at power forward last season when the Clippers had to adjust their rotations with Blake Griffin missing significant time with a quad injury. At this stage of his career, Pierce is probably better suited to match up with bigger players rather than smaller, speedier wings, who would be more apt to expose him off the dribble. Though Griffin is back healthy for the start of the upcoming campaign will and start at power forward, he'll also see some time at center when DeAndre Jordan is off the floor, opening up minutes for Pierce at the four spot. Despite the position change, it's unlikely that Pierce is in line for a dramatic upgrade in playing time or production after averaging a meager 6.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per game last season.