STEIN_LINE_HQ Just filed to ESPN.com: Celtics' Paul Pierce is opting out, too. Has notified Celts he'll become unrestricted free agent. Link forthcoming
Probably a smart move. 1 year 21 mil or 5 year 96. New York is desperate enough and maybe dumb enough to do that. He could get injured and walk away with just the 21 mil. And next year he is 34.
But, but, players aren't afraid of the CBA! That extra $30 million they'd give up to not be in a sign-and-trade is nothing, because they can have an opt-out after year three and make even more! (In all seriousness, an opt-out from a guy like Paul Pierce - who obviously doesn't intend to leave Boston - is yet another sign of how scared to death players are of the upcoming CBA. If you don't think players like Chris Bosh are highly motivated to squeeze every last year and dollar out of this summer's contracts, you aren't paying attention.)
Haha I hope this turns around and bites him in the ass. Either Celtics let him go, or give him 13mil a year max for 4 years.
I doubt he gets that kind of money at his age. Besides, the "over 36" rule would seem to disallow it. My guess is he comes back at something like a 3 year, 50 mil deal.
As the Wise Old Man Rock said... Some loser team who didn't get Lebron/Wade/Bosh etc is going to overpay Pierce for a 3-4 year Multi Million dollar contract. Pierce is smart as he's guaranteeing his future and he will easily earn more than 21 mil.
This. Also, this is worth nothing, but I saw this guy at a gas station 4 days ago who told me Pierce would opt out, re-sign for the minimum, and the Celts would get Boozer and make more NBA title runs. He knows a guy, he told me. And some people here think Rockets fans are delusional.
er it's actually a good move. he's getting older. it's better to get a new contract early. much more secure.
If Allen and Pierce took the minimum to facilitate the acquisition of a max player that would be admirable.
At this point I don't know if he's worth the full MLE at more than 2 years. Maybe he has the same agent Bonzi Wells did. Sounds like a good excuse for Boston to rebuild. It would have been a tough call, this makes it a lot easier.
Smart move by him, he is on the edge of his value....a team will pony up for 3 or 4 years of max money. Crazy free agency period. DD
I love how anytime a player opts out or becomes a free agent or is on the trading block, everyone is always like "The Rockets could really use yada yada yada..."
