Ainge has doubts about Pierce's future with the Celtics

[jdpapa3]

I really hope Pierce opts out. Of course comes back but he would go down in Celtics history as not only one of the best players but one of the ones with most Celtic pride taking less money to let us sign ohhhh i dont know LEBRON!!! Come on Pierce be smart walk away with one or two more rings on your shooting hand.

Pierce would have to take the Vet Minimum for this to even come close to happening. Never happening.

[Bankshot]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67555/20100629/ainge_hints_pierce_could_sign_elsewhere/

This is pretty interesting...if he has doubts about Pierce re-signing, that combined with reports of Del Negro being on the C's short list for coaches tells me quite a bit about what Doc's decision will probably be. If Pierce doesn't come back and signs a long term contract with a team like his hometown Clippers to finish off his career, Ray Allen certainly won't be coming back. We will be without a starting center for most of next season, and we're basically left with an aging PF and a PG in his youthful prime. It's frustrating that we're losing these players without getting anything back in return but cap space, but maybe Danny can work a miracle in free agency.

Pierce is not going to the Clippers.  He hates losing, so why start now?

[Mad Hatter]

This comment is from an interview from a week ago (a lifetime it seems) in advance of negotiations with the player. Not sure there's anything to see here or any conclusions to be drawn from it.

i heard that interview the day of the draft. he did say too that he would meet with Pierce's agent to see what's gonna happen with his contract. the article itself is from Gerry Callahan and what he would do if he was in Ainge's shoes.

a couple days later, Ainge did say in one of the papers that he knows Pierce wants to retire a Celtic and that they would work on something.

[BMark]

Sterling was talked into signing B Davis and Kaman to long-term contracts-No way he signs Pierce to one...

Although Pierce, B Griffin, B Davis, Kaman and Gordon does make a solid starting five.

[bobdelt]

I could see Pierce playing for another team.

What I don't see is, Pierce leaving $20 million to go get paid half that for another team.

He's not option out. My bet is that he's trying to get an extension done this summer, under the current CBA. And that's what the hold up is. He probably wont get what he wants, will earn his $20 mil this season and we'll have the same situation next summer, which will probably be a lock out anyway.

[Andy Jick]

Nothing will surprise me...

Better have Nate Driggers & Brett Szabo on standby...

[FreeGreen]

Doesn't Danny pretty much HAVE to say this or else the C's and Pierce could get in trouble for having a pre-arranged deal?

[gar]

Only part of this that is worth comment is the reality that Danny is having to deal with that he may not be able to make both PP and RA happy for the long term. That he seems to be reluctant to go past 2012 (if that is really his position) then he is playing hard ball and hoping the they will either take shorter contracts or give him a significant break on the Dollars. I think Wic will go for the money now if he can make another run; but hope they hold the line on lengthily contracts - very difficult rope for him and the players to walk.

[bobdelt]

Doesn't Danny pretty much HAVE to say this or else the C's and Pierce could get in trouble for having a pre-arranged deal?

No because Pierce is not a free agent... yet. He's  under contract until he opts out.

[xmuscularghandix]

This sounds like posturing before they renegotiate.  Pierce probably thinks he should have a 3 or 4 year extension worth 18 - 20 mil a year.  The Celtics likely don't want to extend him beyond 2012 when KG's deal runs out (and they'll have cap space.)  In the end, they'll work it out.  He's not going anywhere.

Exactly. This is all posturing.

[Andy Jick]

I wonder if Doc's decision could be the first domino to fall?

Something tells me if Doc leaves, this whole thing changes...  But who knows. 

Personally, if Doc leaves, Paul opts out, Ray goes....  I'd like to see Danny move to an "upper management" position and have the Celtics bring in Kevin Pritchard (like when Gavitt worked with Red - just change Danny's title).

But I've resolved in my mind that I'm cool with whatever happens.  Try one more season or blow it up - I can live with either one, as I believe they both have their pros and cons.

[BballTim]

I wonder if Doc's decision could be the first domino to fall?

Something tells me if Doc leaves, this whole thing changes...  But who knows. 

Personally, if Doc leaves, Paul opts out, Ray goes....  I'd like to see Danny move to an "upper management" position and have the Celtics bring in Kevin Pritchard (like when Gavitt worked with Red - just change Danny's title).

But I've resolved in my mind that I'm cool with whatever happens.  Try one more season or blow it up - I can live with either one, as I believe they both have their pros and cons.

  Paul has to opt out by tomorrow. I don't know that Doc will decide. I think Danny's hoping that they'll just generate momentum in the right direction. First Paul stays, then Ray signs, then Doc decides to stay. Even if you have to replace Doc, at least you have your lineup intact.

[Andy Jick]

I wonder if Doc's decision could be the first domino to fall?

Something tells me if Doc leaves, this whole thing changes...  But who knows. 

Personally, if Doc leaves, Paul opts out, Ray goes....  I'd like to see Danny move to an "upper management" position and have the Celtics bring in Kevin Pritchard (like when Gavitt worked with Red - just change Danny's title).

But I've resolved in my mind that I'm cool with whatever happens.  Try one more season or blow it up - I can live with either one, as I believe they both have their pros and cons.

  Paul has to opt out by tomorrow. I don't know that Doc will decide. I think Danny's hoping that they'll just generate momentum in the right direction. First Paul stays, then Ray signs, then Doc decides to stay. Even if you have to replace Doc, at least you have your lineup intact.

And I believe EVERYONE knows this, including Doc and Paul.  This COULD be an interesting 24 hours, where news can drop in a flash.

[BballTim]

I wonder if Doc's decision could be the first domino to fall?

Something tells me if Doc leaves, this whole thing changes...  But who knows. 

Personally, if Doc leaves, Paul opts out, Ray goes....  I'd like to see Danny move to an "upper management" position and have the Celtics bring in Kevin Pritchard (like when Gavitt worked with Red - just change Danny's title).

But I've resolved in my mind that I'm cool with whatever happens.  Try one more season or blow it up - I can live with either one, as I believe they both have their pros and cons.

  Paul has to opt out by tomorrow. I don't know that Doc will decide. I think Danny's hoping that they'll just generate momentum in the right direction. First Paul stays, then Ray signs, then Doc decides to stay. Even if you have to replace Doc, at least you have your lineup intact.

And I believe EVERYONE knows this, including Doc and Paul.  This COULD be an interesting 24 hours, where news can drop in a flash.

  Just my opinion, but I think that whether Paul stays is more important to Doc's decision than whether Doc stays to Paul's decision. I'd say that Ray's status is more important to Paul, speaking in practical terms.

[hpantazo]

I wonder if Doc's decision could be the first domino to fall?

Something tells me if Doc leaves, this whole thing changes...  But who knows. 

Personally, if Doc leaves, Paul opts out, Ray goes....  I'd like to see Danny move to an "upper management" position and have the Celtics bring in Kevin Pritchard (like when Gavitt worked with Red - just change Danny's title).

But I've resolved in my mind that I'm cool with whatever happens.  Try one more season or blow it up - I can live with either one, as I believe they both have their pros and cons.

  Paul has to opt out by tomorrow. I don't know that Doc will decide. I think Danny's hoping that they'll just generate momentum in the right direction. First Paul stays, then Ray signs, then Doc decides to stay. Even if you have to replace Doc, at least you have your lineup intact.

And I believe EVERYONE knows this, including Doc and Paul.  This COULD be an interesting 24 hours, where news can drop in a flash.

  Just my opinion, but I think that whether Paul stays is more important to Doc's decision than whether Doc stays to Paul's decision. I'd say that Ray's status is more important to Paul, speaking in practical terms.

originally, Doc had said he would decide before Paul and Ray decide, so that their decisions don't influence him in any way. What's with the delay?