I would offer him 3 years at the midlevel exception with 2 guaranteed and an off the bench role. I think he would be an asset and I hated losing him.
Why not ask him if he is willing to take the minimum (or the bi-annual exception) so that the Celtics can use the MLE on another player?
This.
I’d love Pierce back on the C’s next year, but would be disappointed if it was for the full mid-level. Not that Pierce wouldn’t be worth it, but I think there’s a point as an aging vet when it comes down to “I’m just happy to be playing in a situation I’m comfortable with.”
If things don’t straighten themselves out in Brooklyn, and potential contenders like Indiana, OKC, Golden State, San Antonio, etc. were going after him, I’d have no problem with him taking the full mid-level (or more) from them, but if he comes to Boston, it can’t be about the money. End your career here, know we’re probably not competing for a championship, know the torch has been passed, know you’re in a supporting role, know you’re a mentor, and just run with it and enjoy it.
If Pierce would only come back to the C's for the mid-level, I'd be disappointed with him. Again, not that I’d have any problem with him if he went ring chasing and signed somewhere else for that, but if you want to end your career with the C’s, a team that’s not competing, don’t make it about money. The C’s already signed you to $185m worth of contracts and you’ve never once been underpaid (excluding rookie contracts).
Something much less than the mid-level, and I'd be very happy with it.