Pierce refused an extension? Looking for maximum deal?

[JSD]

I've said all along, he'll opt out and sign a 4 year deal for around $15-16 million a year. He's not looking for max money, he's looking for enough years to retire a Celtic.

“I definitely want to retire as a Celtic. As far as my option goes, I haven’t really given it any thought.”

And:

“I want to do what’s best for the team. If that means doing whatever to keep guys here and make this team strong for the next three or four years, I’m willing to do it.”

http://greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/2009/10/16/anatomy-of-a-rumor/

[hwangjini_1]

I've said all along, he'll opt out and sign a 4 year deal for around $15-16 million a year. He's not looking for max money, he's looking for enough years to retire a Celtic.

“I definitely want to retire as a Celtic. As far as my option goes, I haven’t really given it any thought.”

And:

“I want to do what’s best for the team. If that means doing whatever to keep guys here and make this team strong for the next three or four years, I’m willing to do it.”

http://greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/2009/10/16/anatomy-of-a-rumor/

thank you sooooo much for adding a spark of hope in what was becoming a depressing thread. have a tp!

if the above is accurate, then i believe pierce may be willing to accept less than a max contract from the celtics IF....

1. doc resigns (check!!!!!)

2. the celtics step up and show the WILL sign 1 or 2 good bench players to improve the team. (simply bringing pierce back and not patching up the current holes will not convince pierce, i think.)

3. the team brings back ray allen.

if these three commitments are made by the celtics (and i take doc returning with a raise as a very good sign) then i think pierce might be willing to take $5 - 6 million less a year. as long as he knows for sure that the team will use that "savings" to improve the celtics.

but then, i am simply sitting at a computer keyboard and winging this. 

[Mr October]

I've said all along, he'll opt out and sign a 4 year deal for around $15-16 million a year. He's not looking for max money, he's looking for enough years to retire a Celtic.

“I definitely want to retire as a Celtic. As far as my option goes, I haven’t really given it any thought.”

And:

“I want to do what’s best for the team. If that means doing whatever to keep guys here and make this team strong for the next three or four years, I’m willing to do it.”

http://greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/2009/10/16/anatomy-of-a-rumor/

That link is almost a year old. I wouldn't put too much stock in those quotes today. Anything can still happen.

[zerophase]

as much as i love pierce... i think this year may be one of the best years and our best opportunity to start rebuilding and be able to finish rebuilding very quickly. with the big name superstars all paring up i don't think with the our big 3 that we can get out of the east again for a while. so why not rebuild?

[JSD]

That link is 4 months old and is about him opting out specifically.

[Drucci]

I can see a lot of reasons why Pierce would re-sign and a lot of reasons why he would bolt.

The biggest reason, in my mind, which would explain his departure, is that he can't accept the fact that Rondo is now the leader and star of this team, that the Celtics are now Rondo's team. Sounds like a dumb or absurd explanation but we all know Pierce's ego and we've all seen this season how this change of leadership could affect their play on the court (refusing to give the ball to Rondo on certain possessions, not playing really together...).

So, for that reason, I wouldn't be surprised to see Pierce take a max offer from the Clippers to go play for his hometown and join the (pretty good) core of Baron Davis/Gordon/Griffin/Kaman.

[JSD]

That link is 4 months old and is about him opting out specifically.

Alright, 8 months. I read the wrong date. I still think it's relevant and should add fuel to optimism that Paul has a deal in place and is ready to re-sign.

[Celtics18]

I love Paul Pierce, but he and his agent have to know that they ain't gettin' no four year, ninety million dollar contract.

Not from the Celtics, not from the Clippers, not from anyone. 

Paul, please stay, take four years at 60mil. and retire a Boston Celtic.  Please.