2016 has been filled with high-profile NBA retirements, including Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Amar’e Stoudemire. Kevin Garnett is still undecided about his future. Paul Pierce, however, is planning on coming back to the Clippers for at least one more season, according to a new report from the Los Angeles Daily News‘ Dan Woike:
With every move, every signing, a question for the Clippers always loomed in the background — will Paul Pierce be back next season?
The answers have never been certain, and even in mid-August, that’s still the case. But, a probability has emerged, at least for now.
Pierce, an 18-season veteran in the NBA, is planning to return to the Los Angeles Clippers for his 19th season in the league according to multiple league sources.
Pierce has wavered with his decision for most of the summer, and another change in plans wouldn’t be shocking.
Pierce is 38, and at this point in his career, he is not a high-usage player. Last season, Pierce played just 18.1 minutes per game in his first season with the Clippers, by a considerable distance the lowest average of his career. He can still be effective in short spurts, but he isn’t a primary option anymore. Despite that, he’s close with head coach Doc Rivers and it appears as though he’s willing to give L.A. one more run.
The Clippers have mostly stood pat this offseason after missing out on Kevin Durant. They re-signed Jamal Crawford, Wesley Johnson, and Austin Rivers and added solid minimum-contract contributors Marreese Speights, Brandon Bass, Alan Anderson, and Raymond Felton. With the Spurs taking a step back with the retirement of Duncan and the Thunder greatly weakened by the loss of Durant, there’s a decent chance the Clippers could be the second-best team in the Western Conference if Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan stay healthy.