Somehow, I don't think Boston will be Pierce's only team

[Neurotic Guy]

I don't really care if Pierce ends up elsewhere.  I think I've always cared more about the laundry (the name on the front of the jersey) than the players. I understand people wanting Pierce to be a lifelong Celtic but it doesn't matter much to me.  I missed watching JoJo White when he retired, I missed watching Hondo, I miss watching Bird and I'll miss Pierce, but whether he retires a Celtic or plays on another team isn't a big deal to me (unless its the Lakers).  I also don't care much about Hall of Fame or retired numbers, so I know I am different than a lot of people in that regard.  Not sure why, I guess it's because the constant is the team, not the players.   

[nickagneta]

If the Celtics could trade Pierce one up for Luol Deng, Danny Granger, Marc Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Andre Iguodala, Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Kevin Love or Pau Gasol or get some young stud like Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kyrie Irving, or Greg Monroe with a few other players as part of a deal, I would trade him because it would be in the best interest of the Celtics.

That said, I only do those deals if it looks like this team can not definitely compete this year. Oh, and I do the LBJ and KD trades tomorrow, regardless.

[greg_kite]

Pierce is such as Celtic that even if he did play for the Lakers, say in his final year, I don't think it would tarnish his rep.  Karl Malone played for the Lakers for a year and didn't hurt his standing as a Utah Jazz franchise guy.  Same with Jordan on the Wizards, Dominique Wilkins on the Clips or Celtics, Hakeem on the Raptors or Chief on the Bulls.

Yes it would be great to see him retire a Celtic, but I think it's overrated these days.  If there is a trade that would benefit the Celtics and Pierce I don't think it should be put off for sentimental reasons.

[pearljammer10]

Pierce has hinted that he would love to play at home in LA. I wouldnt be surprised to see him try and finish his career, last couple years in front of his hometown crowd. However, I dont see him leaving Boston either. I wouldnt be shocked either way.

[gotjoker?]

The Jordan comparison is a poor one.

On the contrary, I wasn't comparing Jordan's situation to a possible situation with Pierce.  I was simply talking out loud.  Jordan's name was an easy name to come to my mind on the topic of NBA star players moving on from their first franchise.

I can remember the circumstances that lead to his exit.  It was in part about Jerry Krause.

[gotjoker?]

Has anyone else read this article? Interesting.

I read it more as speculative talk so I don't necessarily concur with the points raised by the author.  Especially, the point about Pierce, aging and fragility.  Pierce is the most durable player on the team, I think.  And his game isn't necessarily predicated on great athleticism.  On the other hand, the changing of the guard in terms of captaincy on Boston is a good point.  However, Pierce is one of the biggest supporters of Rondo so I don't think they could ever butt heads as it pertains to who's the team leader.  It's Pierce.  He has seniority and the respect of his head coach and teammates.  Enough said.

Even if he plays a year or two in another city before he hangs it up, here is a guy who will be remembered as one of the greatest, toughest players in the history of this storied franchise.

In Allen's stead steps Rajon Rondo, who is unequivocally the floor general of this team. Add to that the role Kevin Garnett has played in his time here along with the urgency the Celts showed in getting the Big Ticket locked up for three more years, and it makes one wonder if, at this point, Pierce is the captain in title only.

Rondo is talking a lot more now as well. Whether he's predicting the Celts will win another title or participating in wide-ranging interviews with this site, he has the look and sound of a guy who is ascending up the leadership ladder.

Does that mean that Pierce is descending? No. But there may be a little bit of a transition from one generation to the next going on in that department.

Even as Rondo's stature increases and the rest of the roster gets a little younger, Pierce still projects to be the man on offense, especially at the end of games.

This is a player who has been taking the last shot pretty much since the start of his career. Despite all of the new additions to this roster, none of them are go-to guys. Maybe Jason Terry might see his number called by coach Doc Rivers a time or two in that type of situation, but that's it.

The bottom line here is that we may be sending Pierce, the captain and the Truth, on a farewell tour this season. Whether it's due to injury, his contract status or something else entirely, there is a good deal of evidence to suggest 2012-2013 will be Pierce's final year in Celtic green.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1320671-2012-2013-will-be-the-most-challenging-season-of-paul-pierces-career