In regards to Pierce and sentimentality

[esel1000]

With Doc gone, I feel like this coming week there is going to be a lot of focus on the futures of KG and Pierce.

This being said, I think it's important to look at the situation objectively since the issue of sentimentality is going to come up now. Pierce has been with this team since 98, 15 years. It's pretty amazing for a player to be with a team for that long in this day and age, and I don't blame the people who want to keep him and want him to retire as a Celtic.

Now my personal view on the matter. I love Pierce as much as the next guy. But if we're looking at a rebuild, I feel we need to get what we can for him, whether that be prospects, draft picks, trade exceptions, or a mix of the three from a contender. And quite honestly, I don't think it's fair to keep Pierce on a rebuilding team in his final year(s). For all we know, he wants to be traded to a contender or up and coming team as well.

If Pierce finishes the last year or two years of his career on a contender, he will still always be remembered as a Celtic. Who thinks of Jordan as a Wizard for example? Not only will he have the chance to finish with a championship, but we'll improve in the long run as well for a rebuild.

I root for the name on the front of the jersey, not back. I feel we need to put our sentiments aside in regards to Pierce. Seeing him go will be tough... but it's what's best for him, and us. I will always root for him no matter what.

[LarBrd33]

Ainge has been pursuing trade options for Pierce for a while now.  Looks like we'll have a very productive draft.  If we can land a 1st rounder and expiring contracts (or a trade exception) for Pierce, he'll be gone in a second.

I'll miss him.  Second favorite player ever.  But whether or not Pierce plays his last two years on a terrible Celtic team or elsewhere doesn't really matter to me.

[bruinsandceltics]

With Doc gone, I feel like this coming week there is going to be a lot of focus on the futures of KG and Pierce.

This being said, I think it's important to look at the situation objectively since the issue of sentimentality is going to come up now. Pierce has been with this team since 98, 15 years. It's pretty amazing for a player to be with a team for that long in this day and age, and I don't blame the people who want to keep him and want him to retire as a Celtic.

Now my personal view on the matter. I love Pierce as much as the next guy. But if we're looking at a rebuild, I feel we need to get what we can for him, whether that be prospects, draft picks, trade exceptions, or a mix of the three from a contender. And quite honestly, I don't think it's fair to keep Pierce on a rebuilding team in his final year(s). For all we know, he wants to be traded to a contender or up and coming team as well.

If Pierce finishes the last year or two years of his career on a contender, he will still always be remembered as a Celtic. Who thinks of Jordan as a Wizard for example? Not only will he have the chance to finish with a championship, but we'll improve in the long run as well for a rebuild.

I root for the name on the front of the jersey, not back. I feel we need to put our sentiments aside in regards to Pierce. Seeing him go will be tough... but it's what's best for him, and us. I will always root for him no matter what.

Agree 1000000000%.

Great post.

1. Celtics need to rebuild. Thus getting something for Paul, anything is important.

2. Paul Pierce deserves a shot to play out his career on a team that isn't going 20-62. He deserves a shot at one more title.

I'm sure Danny has talked with Paul and KG and told both of them this. I'm sure they understand. I'm sure there is some sentimentality for both of them, but they are both reasonable guys and extremely competitive. They, themselves likely don't want to ride it out this way.

[tarheelsxxiii]

I agree it's time to part ways. It shouldn't be just anywhere, though. He deserves to be traded to a team that will be competitive.

[eugen]

I think PP and KG will go to Clippers

[esel1000]

I agree it's time to part ways. It shouldn't be just anywhere, though. He deserves to be traded to a team that will be competitive.

I agree with this, though I also think it's important to look for the best deal. I feel like contenders will probably give us the return anyway, teams that feel they're a pp away from a championship

[bruinsandceltics]

I think PP and KG will go to Clippers

I hope not.

Contenders...sure. But the Clippers? I really hope not.

Cause that means we are getting seriously less than market value.

[tarheelsxxiii]

I agree it's time to part ways. It shouldn't be just anywhere, though. He deserves to be traded to a team that will be competitive.

I agree with this, though I also think it's important to look for the best deal. I feel like contenders will probably give us the return anyway, teams that feel they're a pp away from a championship

I think so, too. He will most likely garner interest from contenders, anyway.

[dark_lord]

i want pierce to stay.  i dont care what others think, i dont care about rebuilding, etc.  i want to see pierce finish, and play his entire career as a celtic.  i have said it many times here, seeing him play his entire career, then having his # in the rafters would mean just as much to me as banner #18.

[vjcsmoke]

It would be nice to keep him, but would he even be willing to stay if we move KG?  The team is going to seriously suck without a true big like KG.  News flash - Fab Melo ain't the answer.  LOL.

If we are trading Doc and KG, I think we need to try to blow up the core and land someone in the top 3 of this year or next year's draft.  Nobody on this team is untouchable, not even Rondo.  We lack that cornerstone superstar to build on - no Lebron, Durant, Rose, or Carmelo.

[SHAQATTACK]

don't want him to go , but unless he wants to stay cheap for sentimental reasons,   use what's left of his value to be build. I guess.

I don't want him on the clippers.......they won't pay what he is worth........plus the trade exception would go along way to restocking the celtics......

[PaulPierce34G]

I am going to miss Paul.  I had been watching basketball since 1992, but he was the reason I started to seriously follow the Celtics back in 1998-1999 at the age of 14...Still remember his first regular season game versus Toronto, 19 points...don't even have to look that up..the number has just stuck with me over the years.

However, it isn't right that he finishes his career on a mediocre, at best, team.  Let him go out with a few more chances to win a championship before it's all said and done.  He will be back with the Celtics for a 1 day deal, as he has said in the past...So technically, he is going to retire a Celtic. 

On the flip-side, we need to get whatever we can for him, in terms of a pick or two, a young developing player, a trade exception, whatever.  Time to stockpile the assets and use them in a trade or whatever we've got to do to get back to being a serious threat in the league. 

No matter what, Pierce is always going to be a Celtic...doesn't matter whose jersey he puts on next.

[esel1000]

I am going to miss Paul.  I had been watching basketball since 1992, but he was the reason I started to seriously follow the Celtics back in 1998-1999 at the age of 14...Still remember his first regular season game versus Toronto, 19 points...don't even have to look that up..the number has just stuck with me over the years.

However, it isn't right that he finishes his career on a mediocre, at best, team.  Let him go out with a few more chances to win a championship before it's all said and done.  He will be back with the Celtics for a 1 day deal, as he has said in the past...So technically, he is going to retire a Celtic. 

On the flip-side, we need to get whatever we can for him, in terms of a pick or two, a young developing player, a trade exception, whatever.  Time to stockpile the assets and use them in a trade or whatever we've got to do to get back to being a serious threat in the league. 

No matter what, Pierce is always going to be a Celtic...doesn't matter whose jersey he puts on next.

Basically sums up my feelings there.

[CoachBo]

The draft picks don't really excite me. Ainge will squander at least some of them.

The trade exception does.