A Paul Pierce and Doc Rivers reunion in L.A Clippers? It seems very likley as ESPN's Marc Stein reveals that the Los Angeles Clippers are confident that they can land Pierce this offseason now that Jason Kidd is no longer with the Brooklyn Nets after he was shipped to the Milwaukee Bucks.
"Clippers, I'm told, believe they have real chance of stealing Paul Pierce away from Nets now that Jason Kidd no longer coaching in Brooklyn" according to a tweet by Marc Stein.
The Clippers are currently in talks with the Nets on a possible sign-and-trade scenario that would send Paul Pierce back to River's supervision, sources close to the situation reveal. Rivers, the Clippers President and Head Coach, has also reportedly made a number of conversations with the 2008 Finals MVP after he became a free agent on July 1.
Now although it is possible for the Clippers to simply sign Pierce as he is a fee agent via the team's midlevel exception at $5.3 million, the team prefers a sign-and-trade deal that would send some players to Brooklyn--possibly Jared Dudley, Matt Barnes and last summer's first-round draft pick, Reggie Bullock--for Pierce due to their overabundance of small forwards.
Also, since the Nets have Pierce's Bird rights, such a deal would allow the former 10 time all-star-- who earned $15.3 million last season--to sign a contract greater than the midlevel exception.
It also makes sense for Pierce to reunite with Rivers because of how the Clippers are built right now. The team is reminiscent, in both style and function, to the 2008 Boston Celtics who won the NBA title against the mighty Lakers in the finals. And while Barnes made an impact to the Clippers in the playoffs, there is no doubt that "The Truth" would be a far better option in the small forward position with his championship experience, familiarity to River's system, and versatile game.
Pierce would surely be intrigued with the prospect of reuniting with Rivers and playing for a contender like the L.A clippers with established stars in Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. Besides, this might be his best chance to stamp another championship in his resume when it's all said and done.
Join the Conversation