What is the most you would offer Paul to stay?

[indeedproceed]

2 things regarding the possibility of Pierce leaving vs nostalgia and whatnot:

1- Many many many great, amazing, beloved players have left their original teams late in their career and been overpaid then faded away a couple of seasons later. Nique, Hakeem, Jordan, Malone, Pippen, just to name a few. It happens...and while its strange for a little while, at the same time it doesn't tarnish the legacy.

2- If the Celtics overpay Pierce and/or Ray Allen and the years go beyond 2011-2012, even when Garnett's now albatross contract comes off the books, the Celtics will still have little to no cap flexibility, and conceivably will be in a pretty terrible situation of having a gargantuan payroll while at the same time being a completely mediocre team. Basically, it would be like this year was, if the playoffs had not gone the way they had, and we would've been bounced by the Heat or Cavs. Nobody wants that. Personally, I'd rather watch a team that has low expectations and flexible payroll with eyes on the future barely make the playoffs than watch a team with no future and a huge bloated payroll barely make the playoffs.

I'm not saying I want Pierce gone. I want him back. But if he wants to get paid (and don't say he's 'looking to secure his future'...if he hasn't secured his great-grandkids' futures with his 100 million plus in salary he's earned thusfar, than whatever extension he gets now ain't gonna do the job either.), that's fine. He's won a chip here, he's always going to be a legend in green. There is no shame in taking a huge payday from a desperate team. But that desperate team should not be the Boston Celtics.

[indeedproceed]

I think anything more than 3 years, 30 million is being irresponsible. People talk a lot about loyalty on the Celtics' part and how they should 'take care of him'...but that's hooey in my opinion. So just because we all love PP we should allow him to be an albatross around our necks for the next 4 years?

What about Pierce himself giving the organization a break? Where is our 'hometown discount'?

Paul Pierce has already been 'taken care of', to the tune of 100 million dollars plus in wages over his career. He needs to make what he earns on the court, not in 2008, but this upcoming season.

He just gave up 21 million.

He's not going to basically sign a two year 4.5 million extension in his mind. I think 3 years 50 million is probably as high as the C's can go responsibly. But that's 5-10 million higher than you'd want.

I mean....3 years 40 million is a number i could live with, but unless Paul Pierce is suddenly going to regress into a player we can count on to produce more than once every 3 games, what's the point in paying him 15 million dollars a year?

[Fafnir]

I think anything more than 3 years, 30 million is being irresponsible. People talk a lot about loyalty on the Celtics' part and how they should 'take care of him'...but that's hooey in my opinion. So just because we all love PP we should allow him to be an albatross around our necks for the next 4 years?

What about Pierce himself giving the organization a break? Where is our 'hometown discount'?

Paul Pierce has already been 'taken care of', to the tune of 100 million dollars plus in wages over his career. He needs to make what he earns on the court, not in 2008, but this upcoming season.

He just gave up 21 million.

He's not going to basically sign a two year 4.5 million extension in his mind. I think 3 years 50 million is probably as high as the C's can go responsibly. But that's 5-10 million higher than you'd want.

I mean....3 years 40 million is a number i could live with, but unless Paul Pierce is suddenly going to regress into a player we can count on to produce more than once every 3 games, what's the point in paying him 15 million dollars a year?

I understand what you're saying. So much depends on Doc right now. If he comes back I think we can resign Ray/Paul and make another run at it. Don't go beyond 3 years for Paul, two for Ray, and just go for it.

Without Doc and Ray I think Pierce will bolt to a better situation.

[Mike-Dub]

I'm not saying I want Pierce gone. I want him back. But if he wants to get paid (and don't say he's 'looking to secure his future'...if he hasn't secured his great-grandkids' futures with his 100 million plus in salary he's earned thusfar, than whatever extension he gets now ain't gonna do the job either.), that's fine. He's won a chip here, he's always going to be a legend in green. There is no shame in taking a huge payday from a desperate team. But that desperate team should not be the Boston Celtics.

Exactly how I feel IP.  I want Paul back as much as anyone, but only if the price is right.  I do feel though that his legacy would be a little tarnished if he does leave than if he retired as a Celtic.

[indeedproceed]

I'm not saying I want Pierce gone. I want him back. But if he wants to get paid (and don't say he's 'looking to secure his future'...if he hasn't secured his great-grandkids' futures with his 100 million plus in salary he's earned thusfar, than whatever extension he gets now ain't gonna do the job either.), that's fine. He's won a chip here, he's always going to be a legend in green. There is no shame in taking a huge payday from a desperate team. But that desperate team should not be the Boston Celtics.

Exactly how I feel IP.  I want Paul back as much as anyone, but only if the price is right.  I do feel though that his legacy would be a little tarnished if he does leave than if he retired as a Celtic.

In the short term, it would be strange. I think 2 or 3 years after he retires nobody would care

[Mr October]

In order to keep the window at 2 years, I'd propose to overpay Pierce at 20 million per year for 2 years.

Otherwise I don't feel comfortable paying him more than $45/3.

Pierce and Ginobili are near the same level and age, and Ginobili got something like 39/3. Or Hamilton 2 years ago was valued at 12 million per year. That to me should be his open market value.

Pierce is a big notch below the elite swing men now, and probably wont make the all star team this coming year.

[Mencius]

I wouldn't go beyond 2 years.  Let him expire (or be traded) along with Garnett.

[Moranis]

I think the Clippers would overpay for Pierce.  I think Miami, New York, or Chicago might overpay for him (if they lose out on the guys they are targeting).  Pierce is going to get offers.  I wouldn't go past (maybe a little) what I posted earlier in this thread though.  And maybe we can swing a sign and trade and get something back. 

[BballTim]

I think the Clippers would overpay for Pierce.  I think Miami, New York, or Chicago might overpay for him (if they lose out on the guys they are targeting).  Pierce is going to get offers.  I wouldn't go past (maybe a little) what I posted earlier in this thread though.  And maybe we can swing a sign and trade and get something back. 

  I think whoever gets him will significantly overpay for what they get. It won't necessarily be a team that misses out. It could be a team looking to lure another player by showing that they won't be the only star on their new team.

[Who]

2 years for whatever he wants. Nothing beyond 2012.

I am not willing to damage Rondo's career + hurt the C's capacity to put another contender on the floor in the near future just to give Paul one last payday.

[Who]

Realistically?  3 years/$45 million.

Personally, I'd only offer 2 years/$32 million.  He's got a lot of NBA mileage of him.  I love the guy to death but I think the decline is going to be a relatively fast one with Pierce.  

I disagree, I think Pierce will age well. He is intelligent hard working player with a well rounded game and excellent fundamentals. Those type of players generally age well.

From where he is today, I think Pierce will age well over the next couple of years.

[LarBrd33]

i'd give him the max.  I can't see a scenario where we're going to be able to compete with one of these superteams in NY, LA, Miami or Chicago.   Durant isn't going to become a free agent for another 7 years anyways.   Might as well just give Pierce whatever he wants... and let the captain go down with the ship.

[ManUp]

2 years 36 Mill.

[birdwatcher]

3 yrs/$36 M

[Donoghus]

Realistically?  3 years/$45 million.

Personally, I'd only offer 2 years/$32 million.  He's got a lot of NBA mileage of him.  I love the guy to death but I think the decline is going to be a relatively fast one with Pierce.  

I disagree, I think Pierce will age well. He is intelligent hard working player with a well rounded game and excellent fundamentals. Those type of players generally age well.

From where he is today, I think Pierce will age well over the next couple of years.

The guy has put up with a lot of wear & tear especially in the last few seasons.  He's been awfully dinged up at times.  His basketball intelligence will always thrive but I have geniune concern about his body breaking down and conditioning down the road.

I sure as heck hope I'm wrong but I can definitely see it happening.