If Pierce really wants to remain a Celtic, then he'll agree to restructure his contract so he gets paid less and the Celts can use that money on another free agent.
If he's expecting to get 15 million and start again next year, then in the words of Arnold, hasta la vista baby.
1. Pierce can't restructure his contract to take less.
2. If Pierce's salary is off the books, that opens up exactly zero money to use on other free agents.
3. Pierce is expecting only one of four things to happen because that is all that can happen:
1. To be traded
2. For the Celtics release him and only pay the guaranteed portion of this contract which is $5 million which will remain on the salary cap for this season
3. To be amnestied and receive his full $15 million contract
4. To has his contract be picked up and be playing for the Celtics.