Pierce re-signs for 4yrs (3 guaranteed 4th year has options for team and Pierce)

[Fafnir]

Seem to me like Danny went after Rudy Gay and now he is gone....

Why would you say that?

They started negotiating with Pierce right away yesterday and got a deal done. Plus Rudy Gay got a max deal right away from Memphis. He might have called his agent, but the phone call would have lasted a few seconds.

[Birdbrain]

This isn't a broken down Posey so it's no concern to me whether it's guaranteed or not.  The main point is he'll be making less this year.  In 3 or 4 years they'll be rebuilding anyway and Pierce can be a nice player coming of the bench with Rondo on a team struggling to make the playoffs.  Basically who cares.

But I'm sure it will be a big discussion point on boston sports talk radio.

Were any of the you guys alive during the 20 year drought the Celtics went through?

Why is that it's less money THIS year all you care about?  The only thing this helps for this year as opposed to Pierce picking up his option is that it saves the owners luxury tax money.  That's it.

I would've prefered Pierce just pick up his option so that he's overpaid for one more year, instead of 4.  I think too many people are basing this contract on what he's done in the past, and not what he will do the next 3-4 years.  Do you really want a guy making $15 million/yr coming off the bench in 3-4 years?

It's pretty obvious to me they are going to take step back in 2 years and Pierce more than likely won't be worth his salary.  I say big deal because we won't be incontention anyway and I would rather watch an old Paul Pierce (whos paid his dues as a life long C) struggle on average team. Maybe you and the rest of those concerned that Paul's salary will prevent this team from contending can hope for a trade of his expiring contract.  I'll stick with the I don't care and will be hoping for 2 more rings and then watching him retire a C.

[kozlodoev]

Just reported:  4 years/ $61 million.  I guess that means 3 years guaranteed at about $15 mill/year.

If this is true, I think he took a substantial discount to re-sign here.  Have to think he could have gotten more from a desperate team with cap space -- and there are going to be more than a couple based on the reports that some of these FA's are staying with their old teams.

This is absolutely not true. A 4-year, 61 million deal probably starts at about $14,000,000 per, which is very close to a max contract ($16.5 million), if I am not mistaken. I understand some teams with cap space will miss out on the highlight players and be desperate to use their cap space, but I can't see Pierce getting a 4-year, max-level deal anywhere.

So sure, he may have given up a million a year, but realistically he traded a $21 million dollar contract  for a contract that guarantees him something upward of $45 million.

[nickagneta]

Great deal for the Celtics ownership who should be praised for keeping their heads and being prudent with their money when so many other owners aren't.

I really don't care what the 4th year of the contract is for because Pierce will be retiring at the end of the 2012-2013 season. The Celtics will be rebuilding and the will probably kind of stick in 2012-13. Pierce will do his farewell tour that year, have a gigantic send off and then retire taking none of the last year. I'm convinced of that. He is just not going to want to be playing in a rebuilding situation. I don't see it.

Also, have to commend Pierce for doing the right thing as, without a no trade clause, he sets himself up as a valuable trading commodity as his contract won't be that bad but his talent will be undeniable. Yes I understand that the understanding is he stay here until the end but, without that clause, management could send him out of town if things go badly and they feel it's time to start over.

[Birdbrain]

Seem to me like Danny went after Rudy Gay and now he is gone....

No Danny was never going to pay Rudy Gay the max.  Only in Memphis where no one wants to live would they overpay for slightly above average player.

Memphis and Toronto that is.

[CelticsWhat35]

This isn't a broken down Posey so it's no concern to me whether it's guaranteed or not.  The main point is he'll be making less this year.  In 3 or 4 years they'll be rebuilding anyway and Pierce can be a nice player coming of the bench with Rondo on a team struggling to make the playoffs.  Basically who cares.

But I'm sure it will be a big discussion point on boston sports talk radio.

Were any of the you guys alive during the 20 year drought the Celtics went through?

Why is that it's less money THIS year all you care about?  The only thing this helps for this year as opposed to Pierce picking up his option is that it saves the owners luxury tax money.  That's it.

I would've prefered Pierce just pick up his option so that he's overpaid for one more year, instead of 4.  I think too many people are basing this contract on what he's done in the past, and not what he will do the next 3-4 years.  Do you really want a guy making $15 million/yr coming off the bench in 3-4 years?

  What Paul makes this year *isn't* irrelevant. Danny has a budget every year. This could mean that we can use the MLE and trade Sheed's contract (instead of one or the other) or it could give Danny more money to offer Ray.

I'm not saying it's irrelevant, but to say that getting Paul's salary figure down for THIS year is the most important thing seems to be very short-sighted.  This just seems to hurt the team's chances of surrounding Rondo with young talent for his prime years.

[BballTim]

I'm very happy with this deal.  I'm interested to see how it's structured (i.e., does it increase, decrease, or stay level over time).

  According to the Herald, it's 4/61 and he'll make significantly less than the 21.5M he was scheduled to make.

[Who]

Just reported:  4 years/ $61 million.  I guess that means 3 years guaranteed at about $15 mill/year.

If this is true, I think he took a substantial discount to re-sign here.  Have to think he could have gotten more from a desperate team with cap space -- and there are going to be more than a couple based on the reports that some of these FA's are staying with their old teams.

This is absolutely not true. A 4-year, 61 million deal probably starts at about $14,000,000 per, which is very close to a max contract ($16.5 million), if I am not mistaken. I understand some teams with cap space will miss out on the highlight players and be desperate to use their cap space, but I can't see Pierce getting a 4-year, max-level deal anywhere.

So sure, he may have given up a million a year, but realistically he traded a $21 million dollar contract  for a contract that guarantees him something upward of $45 million.

A four year max contract for Pierce was over $90 million.

His max contract starting salary is 105% of his previous year's pay which $19.8 million which gives Pierce a max starting salary of $20.8 million.

[Who]

I don't like Danny giving Pierce a four year deal. I hope that fourth season is not guaranteed.

[nickagneta]

Just reported:  4 years/ $61 million.  I guess that means 3 years guaranteed at about $15 mill/year.

If this is true, I think he took a substantial discount to re-sign here.  Have to think he could have gotten more from a desperate team with cap space -- and there are going to be more than a couple based on the reports that some of these FA's are staying with their old teams.

This is absolutely not true. A 4-year, 61 million deal probably starts at about $14,000,000 per, which is very close to a max contract ($16.5 million), if I am not mistaken. I understand some teams with cap space will miss out on the highlight players and be desperate to use their cap space, but I can't see Pierce getting a 4-year, max-level deal anywhere.

So sure, he may have given up a million a year, but realistically he traded a $21 million dollar contract  for a contract that guarantees him something upward of $45 million.

Maximum salary for someone with Pierce's years of tenure is nearly $19 million. The $16.5 million number is for players with Lebron's amount of tenure.

[Fafnir]

Seem to me like Danny went after Rudy Gay and now he is gone....

No Danny was never going to pay Rudy Gay the max.  Only in Memphis where no one wants to live would they overpay for slightly above average player.

Memphis and Toronto that is.

Rudy Gay is more than an above average player, and other teams were going to offer him the max. The reason Memphis did the deal it did is because other teams had already indicated they were planning on a max offer for Gay.

[Fafnir]

I don't like Danny giving Pierce a four year deal. I hope that fourth season is not guaranteed.

I'm hoping its a mutual option of sorts. If Pierce opts in its 5-8 guaranteed, that sort of thing.

[Birdbrain]

Seem to me like Danny went after Rudy Gay and now he is gone....

No Danny was never going to pay Rudy Gay the max.  Only in Memphis where no one wants to live would they overpay for slightly above average player.

Memphis and Toronto that is.

Rudy Gay is more than an above average player, and other teams were going to offer him the max. The reason Memphis did the deal it did is because other teams had already indicated they were planning on a max offer for Gay.

I mentioned slightly. 

No they weren't and if they were he would have left.... IMO. : )

[BballTim]

This isn't a broken down Posey so it's no concern to me whether it's guaranteed or not.  The main point is he'll be making less this year.  In 3 or 4 years they'll be rebuilding anyway and Pierce can be a nice player coming of the bench with Rondo on a team struggling to make the playoffs.  Basically who cares.

But I'm sure it will be a big discussion point on boston sports talk radio.

Were any of the you guys alive during the 20 year drought the Celtics went through?

Why is that it's less money THIS year all you care about?  The only thing this helps for this year as opposed to Pierce picking up his option is that it saves the owners luxury tax money.  That's it.

I would've prefered Pierce just pick up his option so that he's overpaid for one more year, instead of 4.  I think too many people are basing this contract on what he's done in the past, and not what he will do the next 3-4 years.  Do you really want a guy making $15 million/yr coming off the bench in 3-4 years?

  What Paul makes this year *isn't* irrelevant. Danny has a budget every year. This could mean that we can use the MLE and trade Sheed's contract (instead of one or the other) or it could give Danny more money to offer Ray.

I'm not saying it's irrelevant, but to say that getting Paul's salary figure down for THIS year is the most important thing seems to be very short-sighted.  This just seems to hurt the team's chances of surrounding Rondo with young talent for his prime years.

  It's a matter of priorities. Is an extra few million in cap space the year KG's contract ends worth more than having a better team when we're trying to win a title?

[Fafnir]

Seem to me like Danny went after Rudy Gay and now he is gone....

No Danny was never going to pay Rudy Gay the max.  Only in Memphis where no one wants to live would they overpay for slightly above average player.

Memphis and Toronto that is.

Rudy Gay is more than an above average player, and other teams were going to offer him the max. The reason Memphis did the deal it did is because other teams had already indicated they were planning on a max offer for Gay.

I mentioned slightly. 

No they weren't and if they were he would have left.... IMO. : )

He's a restricted free agent, he couldn't have left if Memphis didn't let him.

Have you watched Memphis much?