Do you believe Danny will end up trading Paul Pierce at some point?

[JSD]

There seems to be a split amongst fans over Paul Pierce and how the rest of his career should play out. Personally, I want him to retire a Celtic, but my preference doesn't really matter.

All this talk about "Ainge would have traded Bird" can really manifest itself in Pierce. Not to say Paul is on that level but he is the closest Celtic to it since the Legend hung them up.

[dark_lord]

i want pierce to retire a celtic, regardless of his ability, age, or any other factor.  in the days of free agency and players demanding trades, having a superstar end his career with the same team it began with is both rare and special.

[wdleehi]

I believe he would trade him if he felt it made the team better. 

[Who]

Not at this stage. He'll let Paul finish out his career here now.

Too late to move him now. Paul has spent too many years here. Danny will be very reluctant to move Pierce over the final few years and he is extremely unlikely to get a trade offer that changes his mind. So not at this point. Too late for that.

[Phil125]

It would have to be some too good to be true deal.

Like Orlando gets desperate and says give us Paul and that protected number one and a few other things for Dwight Howard.  

Other than that Paul Pierce will retire a Celtic.

[Celtic#9]

I believe he would trade him if he felt it made the team better. 

I agree 100%. That is one of his jobs as GM. He mostl ikely will not call up other GMs and try to trade Paul but if a GM has a deal that he can't refuse, he has to take it.

[Marcus13]

No.

But if he was going to, I think this would be the best opportunity for him to deal him out while still getting value in return

[Cman]

No, I doubt it.

Of course, if the right deal comes along, he would.  But I just dont see it.  There's the value of the contract and player's on-court contribution when thinking about a trade, but there is also the value to the franchise when considering the players to be traded.  Once you factor in the latter, it is hard to imagine a realistic scenario where PP is traded.

[jdz101]

If Danny traded paul the whole reason for me getting to follow the celts would be gone and I'd never really feel the same about the team again.

[Chris]

No, I don't think so.  I don't think Pierce will ever has as much value in a trade as he would to the franchise. 

I think Pierce is going to continue being a productive player until he retires, and I think at that point, he will retire a Celtic.  Not only because of his history with the team, but also because I do not expect contracts to be as valuable in trades as they are in the current system.  I think having him simply come off the books as a retired player will be more valuable to the team.

[Fafnir]

No, I don't think so.  I don't think Pierce will ever has as much value in a trade as he would to the franchise. 

I think Pierce is going to continue being a productive player until he retires, and I think at that point, he will retire a Celtic.  Not only because of his history with the team, but also because I do not expect contracts to be as valuable in trades as they are in the current system.  I think having him simply come off the books as a retired player will be more valuable to the team.

Plus I don't think that Pierce will demand a trade, and ownership won't let Danny ship him off for anything less than another star player. The C's won't get an offer like that.

[droopdog7]

If I were DA, I would seriously explore trading PP after next year.  By then, we should be in full rebuilding mode and PP should still have value as a player.

That is my prediction.

[CelticG1]

Don't see it happening either.

Yeah Lebron for Pierce straight up maybe but you aren't going to see Pierce traded just to get some "young talent"

I also don't see what team is going to fight to get Pierce that hard where they will be giving up the best player/s in the deal.

[ManUp]

I don't think Danny would trade him despite his Bird comments. I don't think Pierce would bring in much value and the history is too much to pawn him off for cheap. It also wouldn't be a very good look around the league. I do think he'd trade Ray and KG.

[17wasEZ]

If I were DA, I would seriously explore trading PP after next year.  By then, we should be in full rebuilding mode and PP should still have value as a player.

That is my prediction.

I don't like your prediction, but I believe it has some validity.  I want him to retire a Celtic for many reasons.  The main reason being that "he gets it" in regards to being a Celtic.  He has been a good leader and seems to care about the fans as well.

However, if the Celtics go in full rebuilding mode, I'm not sure if it would be in Paul or Ainge's best interest to have him logging minutes for a .500 basketball team. But, then again, maybe what he brings to the table might help bring along the younger guys and get them that championship hunger right away.

Either way, I just hope the Celtics stay healthy and at least have a decent shot at winning the title next year.