Fansided

Paul Pierce leaves behind number one pick for Celtics as retirement gift

By David Austin Bumpus

Feb 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) kisses the parquet floor one last time during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) kisses the parquet floor one last time during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Celtics never had the number one pick in the NBA Draft while Paul Pierce was around, so he made sure to land one for the team as he left the league.

The Boston Celtics earned the number one pick in the 2017 NBA Draft in the lottery thanks to their trade with the Brooklyn Nets a few years back. A key piece of that trade was Celtics legend Paul Pierce, and he made sure to let fans remember on Twitter.

The team, who had the highest chance at the pick, finally got what they were looking for, but had Celtics CEO and co-owner Wyc Grousbeck in attendance for the event. Many wished Pierce would’ve shown up to give the team some extra luck, but they got the pick regardless.

Either way, Pierce made sure to remind fans about the trade and framed the lottery win as a little gift for his former team as he rides off into the sunset after retiring from the league.

Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry were traded back in July of 2013 for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, Keith Bogans, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph, three future first round picks and the option to swap first round picks during the 2017 draft. The C’s clearly won the deal, with Pierce leaving the Nets for the Clippers (eventually), Garnett leaving for the Timberwolves and the Celtics getting loads of picks in return.

The trade landed the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown in the draft last season and now gives them the number one pick in 2017, along with another pick from the Nets in next year’s draft.

Next: Greatest NBA Trade Deadline Deals Ever

The lottery completed a unique stretch for the Celtics, who won Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Washington Wizards at home Monday night, won the lottery on Tuesday night and then start the conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

Either way, Celtics fans can apparently thank Pierce for their good fortune on Tuesday night at the NBA Draft Lottery.

Home/Boston Celtics