The biggest surprise of NBA Free Agency might have occurred on Saturday night when ESPN’s Marc Stein broke the news that Paul Pierce was signing a two-year deal with the Washington Wizards.
The Wizards lost Trevor Ariza early in the day when he signed with the Houston Rockets, and needed to replace him and acted swiftly to lock up Pierce.
Paul Pierce is on the verge of joining the Washington Wizards in a free-agent deal, ESPN has learned
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 13, 2014
ESPN has learned that Pierce will sign a two-year deal with the Wizards at the mid-level exception with a player option entering Year 2
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 13, 2014
Washington moves quickly to get its replacement for Trevor Ariza. Paul Pierce's stay in Brooklyn lasts only one season
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 13, 2014
It is a shocking deal, Pierce seemed set on going to the Los Angeles Clippers to rejoin former coach Doc Rivers and instead has elected to go to a Washington team that made the playoffs in 2014, even making it to the second round before being eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in six games.
If the Wizards can play like they did last year, they could make a run in an Eastern Conference that has some seen a bit of shifting with LeBron James returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
[UPDATE:]
Sources confirm ESPN report: Paul Pierce to the Wizards for two years, $10M. Pierce wanted to play with Wall and Beal. Solid salvage 4 Wiz.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 13, 2014
Pierce has option after year one.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 13, 2014
