No matter what, Paul Pierce will always be one of the more sought after free agents. The veteran forward has a resume that speaks louder than his age and he is preparing to test that once again. After the Brooklyn Nets season ended in disappointing fashion, Pierce has to decide exactly what his future holds and how many more years he can play in the league. While the Nets hope he opts to finish things out in Brooklyn, a few teams out west might come calling.
After the Miami Heat beat the Nets in the second round of the postseason, Pierce noted that he was not sure what his future held when it comes to free agency. The veteran said he had yet to think about his expiring contract, but was confident there were still a few more years of playing left in his legs.
"I haven't really put much thought into it," Pierce said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "I put my whole focus into this season, it's my last year of the contract. I will sit back and talk to the family and see where my options are from there and go from there. I think I still have something in the tank I can give a team. Maybe one or two (years) at the most."
The question is where are those one or two years played out at? ESPN NBA Insider Marc Stein reports the Los Angeles Lakers will have serious interest in Pierce come the offseason. Pierce is a Los Angeles native and a life-long Lakers fan so that of course puts this team in the running to sign him. Lakers fans may hate Pierce, but he would give the team some flexibility. The forward likely cannot command a giant contract. Mitch Kupchak could sign him to a small deal that would allow the Lakers to once again load on short-term contracts in order to make a run in the 2015 free agency.
If Pierce does want to return west, the Clippers are likely more of the favorite outside of the Lakers. A reunion with Doc Rivers is something Pierce will be interested in if the Clippers come calling. Right now, they do not have too many salary cap moves to make in order to afford the veteran, but again, Pierce cannot sign for much in the first place.
Outside of re-signing with the Nets, a return to Boston might be an option. The team is preparing to trade away Jeff Green and could aim to bring back Pierce. He has always said he will be a Celtic for life no matter where his career finishes. A lot will be determined by Kevin Garnett. If he decides to retire, Pierce does not return to Brooklyn. If Garnett finishes out the final year of his contract, there is a solid chance Pierce comes back for one final run.
