Reports from ESPN are indicating that Celtics star Paul Pierce is set to opt out of his current contract and will become a free agent in this already epic class of 2010.
-While he opts out, Pierce will be giving up the remaining $21.5 million that is left on his contract over the course of one year. It is likely that with all the big named free agents in this class, the move is to strictly obtain the maximum contract the Celtics can offer.
-If this is the case, it too could mean trouble in the Celtics pursuit in retaining guard Ray Allen, as he too is a free agent. With Pierce now becoming an unrestricted free agent, it will put more pressure from the Celts to compete with other offers that will be on the table.
ESPN is also stating that there is a legitimate possibility that Pierce does not end up a Celtic again, as it is widely believed he could get a much better offer elsewhere. He will begin contract negotiations with the Celtics Thursday as the free agency period begins, but he will begin to field proposals from other teams. Pierce joins LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Joe Johnson, Amar’e Stoudemire, and David Lee as the most coveted men this off-season.
SFC will have more on the story over the next few days as we anxiously await the start of NBA free agency.
