Paul Pierce rumors: Brooklyn Nets struggling over contract
By Bryan Rose
The Brooklyn Nets were said to have entertained a sign-and-trade offer involving Paul Pierce which would have sent him to the Los Angeles Clippers. No deal was made as the two teams struggled to find trade pieces to make the deal work but perhaps talks could be revisited if the Brooklyn Nets and Paul Pierce continue to struggle on a contract extension.
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Pierce, who says he wants to play for at least two more seasons has requested upwards of $10 million dollars per year, a price the Brooklyn Nets are deeming a bit too much as they’re more comfortable at $6-8 million per season.
Given that the two sides are having difficulty finding middle ground on a new deal.
"I think we’re in the process [of negotiations],” Nets GM Billy King said in a recent interview on ESPN New York 98.7 FM’s “The Michael Kay Show.” “We know the number we want to get to, I think [Pierce and his agent] know the number they want to get to. We’re just trying to get to the point where we’re all comfortable and I know what we’re trying to accomplish, and it’s just in the negotiation process. That’s all it is. We have the ability to pay him more than everybody else, but we are going to be a little bit more financially responsible at this point in time.”"
The Nets ended up losing over $144 million dollars this past season due to the luxury tax so understandably they’re likely being a bit more cautious with their funds. Add in that the larger the contract Paul Pierce receives, the more money the Nets will have to fork over into that tax. Given all that, the struggle to find a middle ground is understood.