2016-17 NBA Season News, Rumors & Player Signings: Paul Pierce Cancels Retirement Plans; Veteran Forward Decides to Return to Clippers to Overwrite Career Lows
After his worst season, Paul Pierce has not given up yet. The 38-year-old small forward reportedly cancelled his retirement plans and decided to return to the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2016-17 NBA season to overwrite the lowest records of his career.
Career Lows
NBA.com reported in May that Pierce is having a 50-50 mindset about retiring after a disappointing season with the Clippers. The veteran small forward, who joined the team last season to reunite with coach Doc Rivers, recorded the lowest numbers in his 18-year NBA career, averaging 6.1 points in 68 games.
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Rivers, who was Pierce's coach when he won the NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008, told ESPN that plans were already laid in case Pierce makes up his mind with his retirement. He said that Pierce will retire as a member of the Celtics. The same team wherein he spent 15 seasons of his career in the league.
Not Done
An NBA official who requested anonymity recently shared to Los Angeles Times that Pierce's retirement is not happening this season. According to the source, the NBA veteran, who will be turning 39 this October, has set aside his retirement plans and is now more motivated of returning to the Clippers.
The source said that returning to the Clippers for the 2016-17 NBA season was a tough decision for Pierce considering that he was really disappointed at the way he finished last season. The source added that the ten-time NBA All-Star is determined to play again to redeem his performance and overwrite the career lows he obtained last season.
Pierce still has two seasons left from the three-year $10.5-million deal he signed with the Clippers last year. If he returns to the Clippers next season, he will receive a $3.527-million guaranteed salary. Moreover, his salary for the final year would become fully guaranteed on June 30 next year.
Glorious Years
Along with the Celtics' NBA championship in 2008, Pierce was also awarded as the NBA Finals MVP. In 2010, they reached the NBA Finals for the second time but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Per ESPN, Pierce averaged 20 points, 3.6 assists and 5.7 rebounds in his 18-year career in the league. His shooting efficiency was 80 percent from the free-throw line, 44.5 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from three-point range.
His performance started to depreciate in the later stages of his career. Last year, he signed with the Clippers with the desire to achieve another championship with Rivers.
