The Los Angeles Clippers officially announced today the signing of 10-time NBA All-Star forward Paul Pierce. Other outlets have reported that the deal is for three years and worth $10 million.
Pierce, 37, joins the Clippers after spending the 2014-15 season with the Washington Wizards, where he averaged 11.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 73 games (all starts).
The 17-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 20.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 1,250 games (1,240 starts) with the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, and Wizards, and is currently ranked 16th in NBA history with 25,899 total points scored.
Pierce fills a need at the 3 after the team traded forward Matt Barnes for Lance Stephenson this offseason. He also provides another experienced offensive option in the clutch for a team that many feel gave away their series advantage over the Houston Rockets during the second round of the playoffs.
Besides the money and security of a three-year deal, the Clippers championship potential and the presence of his former coach, Doc Rivers, undoubtedly made Los Angeles a particularly attractive destination for Pierce. The fact that Los Angeles is his hometown likely was the icing on the cake.
A former star at Inglewood High School in Los Angeles, Pierce led the Celtics to the 2008 NBA Championship and was named NBA Finals MVP. He has appeared in 158 career playoff games, averaging 20.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
The 6-foot-7 forward has enjoyed a decorated career as a member of the 2009 All-NBA Second Team and three selections to the All-NBA Third Team (2002, 2003, 2008). Pierce was also named to the 1999 NBA All-Rookie First Team and was the NBA 3-Point Shootout Winner in 2010.
Originally drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft out of the University of Kansas, Pierce earned MVP honors in the Big 12 Conference Tournament in both 1997 and 1998 for the Jayhawks. He spent three years at Kansas, averaging 16.4 points and 6.3 rebounds. His #34 is retired at Kansas.
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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