Ainge: Very Hard Decision on Pierce

[sed522002]

We know that Game 6 (and hopefully beyond this series)may be the last for PP as a Celtics 

Ainge says:

"What's important to understand, yeah, it's going to be hard for fans and everybody else, but as far as what's doing what's best for the Celtics, it's probably going to be very hard, too," Ainge

"I have not even discussed that with anyone within our franchise yet," Ainge said. "So that's something for like a few weeks from now to contemplate."

Let's enjoy these games and savor them because this summer the team can very well be completely different.

http://www.csnne.com/blog/celtics-talk/ainge-cs-face-very-hard-decision-pierce

[SHAQATTACK]

Considering losing Rondo , Barbosa , Sully , and KG has some hurts .....pretty amazing the Celtics are still hanging around.

I wouldn't  be so quick to cast off Pierce as done.  I hope he is willing to remain a Celtic with a smaller role and cost.

[Q_FBE]

This ain't no time to think about the off-season issues facing the Celtics. Yeah I agree there will be chAinges made but that is open for discussion later  - hopefully much later.

[TripleOT]

If the Celtics don't pick up Pierce's option, I'll be stunned.  He's worth one year of max money in today's NBA even without the history he has with the Celtics.

How many players can score 18.6 ppg in only 33 minutes, with 6 rebounds and almost 5 assists? 

If Pierce isn't here next year, it's because he retired.  And I don't see him retiring, since he has at least a year of high level basketball left in him.   

[sed522002]

If the Celtics don't pick up Pierce's option, I'll be stunned.  He's worth one year of max money in today's NBA even without the history he has with the Celtics.

How many players can score 18.6 ppg in only 33 minutes, with 6 rebounds and almost 5 assists? 

If Pierce isn't here next year, it's because he retired.  And I don't see him retiring, since he has at least a year of high level basketball left in him.

I guess it all depends on what they think they can get for him. I'm not familiar with the CBA and cap space stuff.

[TripleOT]

Since they didn't move PP at the deadline, why not go all in again next season?  Sign a vetmin ring chaser or two, and hope LeBron blows a gasket. 

[slamtheking]

Since they didn't move PP at the deadline, why not go all in again next season?  Sign a vetmin ring chaser or two, and hope LeBron blows a gasket.

might as well.  most of the roster is locked in for 2 more years.  Don't see Danny having much luck unloading the real deadweight on this roster.

[TripleOT]

Since they didn't move PP at the deadline, why not go all in again next season?  Sign a vetmin ring chaser or two, and hope LeBron blows a gasket.

might as well.  most of the roster is locked in for 2 more years.  Don't see Danny having much luck unloading the real deadweight on this roster.

Hopefully, half the dead weight will continue to hit his threes after Smith's elbow woke him out of his year long hibernation. Maybe create some value for himself.   

[More Banners]

To his credit, Ainge is trying to build a winner every year.  With KG, Pierce, and Rondo, it was about adding pieces to that core.

It looks like the core might be, at best, a 2nd round out next year.  Do you pay Pierce near-max money for that in his last year, or head toward a title?

We're the Celtics, so we go for a title, right?

So it becomes about what makes the best title-worthy roster.  The rate for Pierce has been a pick and a nice young player, 2 assets for one.

In his last year and if we're not contenders, does the price go down?  A good pick and solid 7 footer?  Okafor and a pick,for example?

[More Banners]

Since they didn't move PP at the deadline, why not go all in again next season?  Sign a vetmin ring chaser or two, and hope LeBron blows a gasket.

might as well.  most of the roster is locked in for 2 more years.  Don't see Danny having much luck unloading the real deadweight on this roster.

Hopefully, half the dead weight will continue to hit his threes after Smith's elbow woke him out of his year long hibernation. Maybe create some value for himself.

If they'd have let me smack JET with an elbow back in December when I was ready to, we might have home court!

[droopdog7]

If the Celtics don't pick up Pierce's option, I'll be stunned.  He's worth one year of max money in today's NBA even without the history he has with the Celtics.

How many players can score 18.6 ppg in only 33 minutes, with 6 rebounds and almost 5 assists? 

If Pierce isn't here next year, it's because he retired.  And I don't see him retiring, since he has at least a year of high level basketball left in him.

At this point, regardless of what some fans think, we will not be contenders next year.  KG and PP will only get worse.  So the decision is between loyalty to Pierce and delaying the rebuilding process.

Now, if Pierce were retiring next year for sure, I would be okay with allowing him a proper farewell tour.  But I would say the odds of that being his last year are less than 50-50.  So we delay rebulding for a year but he still doesn't retire.  And I would not resign him beyond next year.

So yeah, a lot of things to weigh.  Not a simple decision but all worthy of consideration.

[Fafnir]

I don't think the decision is about waiving him, its about trading him for something as he's both a good player and on a waivable contract.

Just waiving him for some salary relief isn't going to get us enough room to do much.

[slamtheking]

Since they didn't move PP at the deadline, why not go all in again next season?  Sign a vetmin ring chaser or two, and hope LeBron blows a gasket.

might as well.  most of the roster is locked in for 2 more years.  Don't see Danny having much luck unloading the real deadweight on this roster.

Hopefully, half the dead weight will continue to hit his threes after Smith's elbow woke him out of his year long hibernation. Maybe create some value for himself.

If they'd have let me smack JET with an elbow back in December when I was ready to, we might have home court!

it's more than just JET that could use an elbow to the face to wake them up

[Evantime34]

I don't think the decision is about waiving him, its about trading him for something as he's both a good player and on a waivable contract.

Just waiving him for some salary relief isn't going to get us enough room to do much.

What do you think would be fair value for Pierce's expiring next year?

I think KG's situation will determine what happens with Pierce. Does KG retire? If not do we look to move him and Pierce to start over?

[Fafnir]

I don't think the decision is about waiving him, its about trading him for something as he's both a good player and on a waivable contract.

Just waiving him for some salary relief isn't going to get us enough room to do much.

What do you think would be fair value for Pierce's expiring next year?

I think KG's situation will determine what happens with Pierce. Does KG retire? If not do we look to move him and Pierce to start over?

He's a very attractive expiring contract in a larger talent/salary dump or trade. That's the value as a contract. Not huge but you see really good assets (Clippers pick), (Chandler, etc) moved for such things.

As a player he's probably worth a mid to low first round pick plus whatever salary comes back. Not a great return from him there.

If KG retires all bets are off though. Then Danny could really go slash and burn mode I guess.