I have absolutely no problem with bringing Pierce and KG back...I also have no problem with moving on from both. Tough to make a decision when we don't know the current options.
That being said, I'd much rather root for PP and KG until the wheels fall completely off then root for a lotto team and hope we get lucky.
So would we rather enter the playoffs again next year only to be bounced out in the first round or should Ainge seriously consider a rebuild/overhaul of this team?
It's not just about paying Pierce. It's about building a championship contender and the long term picture.
i agree
long term picture
Paul is great. Has been great. But for $15 mil, that can end up being a lot for a team that's not even a contender and had surprise success last season. we are not winning a championship with Paul and KG being options #1 and #2. I don't care how much help you get unless you're getting a LBJ or KD type.
So then the next q is do u keep the guy on the bench for 15 mil?
What are you willing to get in return for PP? Because in the market, he's not even worth $15mil -- so can you stand to get 50-75% of his dollar value?
That's probably the best you will do, 50-75 cents on the dollar for what Pierce is worth. So for one year, is it better to keep Pierce, no that next year you can't do anything about it and plan the rebuild around financial flexibility that KG and Pierce retiring after next year gives you.
In the mean time, players like Bass, Lee, Terry, Crawford, Williams, Randolph, White all have value. Use them to trade for other expiring contracts and get rid of the long term payroll that this team tied up last off season.
KG and Pierce are not the problem for rebuilding this team. They are only here one more year, tops. Its the salary Danny gave away last year for 2014 and 2015 that will hinder this team rebuilding.
In all honesty, what happens on the court next year is less important than getting the long term payroll off the books.