Could Paul Pierce Return To Boston? Danny Ainge Told Him ‘We Have A Spot For You’

Paul Pierce
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A few days before the league year began on July 1st, rumors emerged that the Boston Celtics had eyes for Paul Pierce. The future Hall-of-Famer had just opted out of his contract with the Washington Wizards, and reports that he was ultimately bound for a reunion with Doc Rivers as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers were nothing more than that. Might Pierce really end his storied playing career where it all started? Given the Celtics’ relentless pursuit of a foundational cornerstone, it certainly seemed possible the 37-year-old might sign on to play sidekick.

But nothing came of that talk. Danny Ainge never lured that elusive big fish to Bean Town, and Pierce promptly agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Clippers just hours after the clock struck July. But don’t fret, Celtics fans. The door for his return apparently remains wide open.

Via Ian Thompsen of NBA.com, Pierce says Ainge told him “we have a spot for you” when he recently bumped into Boston’s president. What would that prospective role entail? The Celtics legend isn’t quite sure.

Pierce will always be linked to Boston, as he was reminded during a recent meeting with Celtics president Danny Ainge. “I ran into Danny a couple days ago and he said, `When you’re ready, we have a spot for you,”’ says Pierce. “I think he was meaning as a player, but maybe it was in the front office …”

Since leaving Boston following the 2012-2013 season, Pierce has made no secret of his continuing affinity for the organization that made him a star. He said he “definitely” wants to return to the Celtics in some capacity last November, and made a heartwarming video with The Players’ Tribune just a month later that showed him roaming the streets of Boston before his first game at TD Garden as a member of the Wizards.

Pierce’s playing days are nearly numbered. He openly contemplated retirement following last season, and many were surprised his contract with Los Angeles was longer than a single season. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if he finally hung it up following 2015-2016. Could Pierce then take a job in the Celtics’ front office?

Though he’s certainly open to that possibility, the 17-year veteran says he would be just as content with an executive role for another franchise – the Clippers included.

“I could see [being in the Clippers’ front office],” says Pierce. “I could see that because Doc respects my basketball mind. Just because you play for one franchise doesn’t mean you’re going to be working for them. Danny Ainge is one of the fortunate ones: Look at all the great players who have been in that [Celtics] organization who are working for other organizations — look at Larry Bird, Kevin McHale. It could be Paul Pierce as a Boston guy working for the Clippers.”

Regardless of the next stop in his NBA life, one thing’s for sure: Pierce still bleeds green-and-gold, and whispers of him potentially going back to Boston will never be entirely quieted.

[Via nba.com]

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