Ainge has doubts about Pierce's future with the Celtics

[FallGuy]

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?

I bet the team knows Paul and Doc's decisions already and we just haven't heard anything yet.

Like Andy - I think something could happen at any moment.

[Bahku]

Everyone has "doubts" about Pierce's future with the Celtics ... but I think he ultimately wants to retire in green, (and if he doesn't, I'll be one sad camper).

[Celtics17]

I am always amused at sports fans who say that a certain player should be more nobile and either sign for less for the team or to win another ring, or even his first for that matter. That is such a joke! If you were working for a company for 1/2 million dollars a year ( a ton of money by most peoples standards) and someone told you that you could work for company A and retire there or work for company B for 1 million dollars a year, what would you do? Sorry guys but if it were me I would go for the bucks. I wish Paul would be more nobile, renogiate his contract so we could sign Lebron, and dedicate himself to the C's winning but it wouldn't surprise me if he doesnt.

[BballTim]

I am always amused at sports fans who say that a certain player should be more nobile and either sign for less for the team or to win another ring, or even his first for that matter. That is such a joke!

  It might be a joke, but it still happens on occasion.

[boscel33]

i think pierce is opting out.  too much at stake for him money wise regarding the potential lockout.  so, we go into next year with kg and rondo leading the way.  it could be a very long year, not that we true fans have not endured these before.

[Birdbrain]

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.

Yeah pretty much not too mention little to no chance its the clippers.  Disregard the little in my comment.

[Chris]

This is an interesting quote.  Not because it definitely means Pierce is leaving, but it does say pretty clearly to me that Ainge has no interest in giving Pierce a long term contract.  Now, whether Ainge considers a 3 year contract long term is debatable, but I do think this hints at the fact that Danny may not be willing to play ball if Pierce opts out.

[Birdbrain]

Danny was trading Rondo last year as well..?!!** 

[More Banners]

Let's think about this for a minute:

The rare event that is "consensus" appears to exist on CB that Paul and Ray should take a hometown discount to keep the core together and make a run, and the numbers thrown around involve them each making anywhere between $8 million or so (Ray) and $15 and under (PP).

Any ideas on how tight the Aged 3 are going to be when KG is making $20 million and the other two are making that combined?  Yeah, it's about winning, but I think for Paul it's also about respect.  I don't think "the captain"--a title which is more honorary for longevity that accurate in identifying him as a leader on this team--is of the type that will ease into his later years gracefully, and I certainly don't believe for a second that the self-described "best player in the world" has a handle on his current market value.

"Truth" be told, he's better off not opting out, and we're probably better off trading him as an expiring contract midseason.

[xmuscularghandix]

"Truth" be told, he's better off not opting out, and we're probably better off trading him as an expiring contract midseason.

If they trade Pierce as an expiring, they’re trading me with him.

[hpantazo]

Let's think about this for a minute:

The rare event that is "consensus" appears to exist on CB that Paul and Ray should take a hometown discount to keep the core together and make a run, and the numbers thrown around involve them each making anywhere between $8 million or so (Ray) and $15 and under (PP).

Any ideas on how tight the Aged 3 are going to be when KG is making $20 million and the other two are making that combined?  Yeah, it's about winning, but I think for Paul it's also about respect.  I don't think "the captain"--a title which is more honorary for longevity that accurate in identifying him as a leader on this team--is of the type that will ease into his later years gracefully, and I certainly don't believe for a second that the self-described "best player in the world" has a handle on his current market value.

"Truth" be told, he's better off not opting out, and we're probably better off trading him as an expiring contract midseason.

I think that's a good point, but a possibly more relevant factor may be that Paul is not ready to step down as the main guy on the team, but Rondo has clearly taken that position on the celtics, and rightfully so. I believe that he has tried to accept this, but I think Pierce has had the most trouble adjusting to this being Rondo's team, and that may affect his decision and Danny's as well.

[Birdbrain]

Let's think about this for a minute:

The rare event that is "consensus" appears to exist on CB that Paul and Ray should take a hometown discount to keep the core together and make a run, and the numbers thrown around involve them each making anywhere between $8 million or so (Ray) and $15 and under (PP).

Any ideas on how tight the Aged 3 are going to be when KG is making $20 million and the other two are making that combined?  Yeah, it's about winning, but I think for Paul it's also about respect.  I don't think "the captain"--a title which is more honorary for longevity that accurate in identifying him as a leader on this team--is of the type that will ease into his later years gracefully, and I certainly don't believe for a second that the self-described "best player in the world" has a handle on his current market value.

"Truth" be told, he's better off not opting out, and we're probably better off trading him as an expiring contract midseason.

Very witty...

I do think you make 1 valid point concerning them not taking discounts which is not necessary in the first place.

Edit: I can't wait until I don't have to read about who the team leader is since it makes little difference as well. 

[the_Bird]

The *lack* of a Ray Allen trade at last year's deadline shows that Pierce just being an expiring contract doesn't really do us very much good as a trade asset, unless you also have good draft picks or attractive young players to include as well.  New Orleans isn't going to just dump Chris Paul, for example, unless there's something worthwhile coming in return.

[hpantazo]

The *lack* of a Ray Allen trade at last year's deadline shows that Pierce just being an expiring contract doesn't really do us very much good as a trade asset, unless you also have good draft picks or attractive young players to include as well.  New Orleans isn't going to just dump Chris Paul, for example, unless there's something worthwhile coming in return.

I also think expiring contracts right before the potential lockout and new CBA are even less valuable

[Birdbrain]

The *lack* of a Ray Allen trade at last year's deadline shows that Pierce just being an expiring contract doesn't really do us very much good as a trade asset, unless you also have good draft picks or attractive young players to include as well.  New Orleans isn't going to just dump Chris Paul, for example, unless there's something worthwhile coming in return.

Why would there be any correlation between Ray and Paul and why would Chris Paul be in any sort of discussion concerning either since Rondo would obviously be in any trade for Paul. Not too mention they are trading Paul because of Collison meaning they wouldn’t want Rondo meaning Paul on the C’s is very unlikely to say the least.