Paul Pierce Not Ready to Retire


Tonight’s Game 5 in New York could be Paul Pierce’s last in a Boston Celtics uniform. About to enter the final year of his current deal, The Truth says he’s not ready to hang it up just yet. Per WEEI: “I’ve always been a guy who says things happen for a reason,’ Pierce said. ‘I was a No. 10 [overall] pick [in 1998]. I did not anticipate that. I just always feel like through my whole career things everything is going to fall into the right place for me. So, I really don’t give much thought until after the season. But I know, at the end of the day, whatever I do, whatever they do, it’s going to fall into the right place for me.’ Pierce is signed through next season for just over $15.3 million but it is not guaranteed. Pierce is aware that the team could trade him in the offseason if the Celtics want to clear space, and if another team acquires him and then dumps the contract. ‘I’ve always said that I want to end my career as a Celtic but they are the ones [who decide],’ Pierce said. ‘I have a year contract for next year but it’s not guaranteed so the decision is in their hands. But, whatever they decision they make… Maybe if they trade me somewhere or I end up somewhere else, maybe it could be a situation where I come back for a one-day deal and retire as a Celtic. Right now, it’s just year-by-year. I expect to play another year next year and then evaluate after that.'”