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NBA Rumors: Paul Pierce opts out, Clippers likely to make a move

By Josh Hill

May 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) reacts near the end of the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Wizards 106-90. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) reacts near the end of the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Wizards 106-90. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Free Agency is going to ramp up in the coming days, and Paul Pierce has added his name to the list of players looking for a new team. 

The Washington Wizards somewhat surprisingly signed Paul Pierce last season and it was a decision that ended up paying off. The team made it back into the Conference Semifinals and Pierce’s leadership and veteran wisdom rubbed off on a young an impressionable squad.

But it wasn’t a marriage meant to last, as the Wizards were informed that Pierce has opted out of his deal and will be hitting the open market on July 1st.

According to the Players’ Tribune, Paul Pierce won’t be returning to Washington in 2015-16, at least not on the deal he currently has.

What this means is that roughly five teams have a shot at signing Pierce — if that.

  1. Clippers
  2. Celtics
  3. Cavaliers
  4. Mavericks
  5. Bulls

All of those teams have at one point in another been involved in rumors surrounding Pierce and they all destinations make sense for him.

The place where Pierce is going to be most heavily linked will be the Clippers where his former head coach Doc Rivers has lobbied for him in the past. They had a successful relationship in Boston and Pierce may be a missing piece on the Clippers roster — a roster that has fallen short of the NBA Finals for years.

Pierce in Cleveland would be interesting, as he’d serve as a handyman for LeBron James and a supportive voice. Then again, the bad blood from the years LeBron bounced Pierce from the postseason could prove problematic.

Either way, Pierce is hitting the open market, and wherever he lands he’s going to serve as a wise old veteran on a team he will hope to get to the NBA Finals one last time before retirement.

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