Ray Allen, Pierce Stay with the C's

[JaoSming]

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/ne ... id=5353346

Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics have agreed to a four-year, $61 million deal, a source told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher on Saturday.

A source told ESPN the fourth year of Pierce's contract -- the main point of contention in the negotiations -- is fully guaranteed.

Forsberg: Captain Returns
Paul Pierce let his actions do the talking, writes ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg. In a market that clearly favors the player, the Celtics' captain took less money to keep Boston in title contention. Story

It was not immediately known if the contract contains a no-trade clause, which Pierce is eligible for by virtue of having at least eight years of service time and four with the same team.

Pierce opted out of the final year of his contract and sacrificed $21.5 million to give the Celtics room to re-sign Ray Allen and add another piece to a Boston team that came within one win of its second NBA title in three years.

[Dan's Brain]

Good for him. A great display of loyalty. I'd really like to see him retire as a Celtic.

Any word on if the deal was front-loaded?

[George7]

And wallace now has second thoughts about his retirement because of things in Cs currently

http://www.nba.com/news/features/aldrid ... ef:nbahpt1

[NovU]

Honestly, I didn't expect him to be the type of guy who'd make a sacrifise for the team's success. Admirable, indeed. Very very unassholic move. I wish I could say the same for the BOS fans, but we all know......

[Oznogrd]

Honestly, I didn't expect him to be the type of guy who'd make a sacrifise for the team's success. Admirable, indeed. Very very unassholic move.

When has Pierce been an asshole? He threw his team under the bus when they blew (before Allen and KG came to town) and he got pumped up when his team did well in the playoffs. Nothing wrong with either of those. Glad to see him stay a Celtic. It just wouldnt work seeing him in another uni.

[Patr1ck]

It's refreshing to see a player stick with a team for his career, which will most likely happen. Staying with the Celtics is one of the reasons he has a ring. Great commitment by taking a lesser salary which can give the organization a chance to pick up a good player with the extra salary space, if they have any.

[NovU]

Honestly, I didn't expect him to be the type of guy who'd make a sacrifise for the team's success. Admirable, indeed. Very very unassholic move.

When has Pierce been an asshole? He threw his team under the bus when they blew (before Allen and KG came to town) and he got pumped up when his team did well in the playoffs. Nothing wrong with either of those. Glad to see him stay a Celtic. It just wouldnt work seeing him in another uni.

Didn't say he was. But didn't think he was a type to sacrifise either.

[Oznogrd]

Trust me, sticking with the C's as long as he did without demanding a trade shows great sacrifice. I was going to be shocked if the Celtics fucked up enough to not keep him, especially after that playoff run/almost championship.

[George7]

In fact,he can't be ever considered as a part of other team.He was a C,he is a C and he will be a C for the rest of his career.
He's the modern history of the Celtics and from those who can't be thought of been elsewhere.

[Lean]

At first I read "four-year, $1 million deal"

Great to hear that Pierce will stay. He's been the cornerstone of the Celtics in the decade *cough* Antoine *cough* Walker *cough*.

[NovU]

It's not like I was expecting him to join another team at this stage of his career, however going distance to help out the team and Ray Allen seem to be a really generous move from his part. Let's face it. How many players would give up such a big money these days. When he opted out, I initially thought he was going to look for the longer contract with the salary that was close to 20 million, since the FA market has tons of money available for players and he could have used it against his advantage in the negotiation. I stand corrected on this guy however. He's shown some heart and class to sacrifise here.

[deihatein]

Let's face it. How many players would give up such a big money these days.

Dirk Nowitzki comes to mind. Cuban and Donnie offer him 96m but instead choose 80m.

[Sauru]

its not like pierce gave up that much really. infact he might have gained money if the new CBA drops players contracts down alot.he gave up 21 mil for 61 mil. the only difference is 1 year vs 4 and who knows where he would be come the end of the next season

[Andrew]

No surprises here, good to see him remain in Boston and work out a new deal that should help them continue to contend for at least another year.

[JaoSming]

BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics' new Big Three will stay together to try for a second NBA title.

Ray Allen confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday night that he has agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract to return to Boston. With Kevin Garnett under contract, Paul Pierce on the verge of a new four-year deal and coach Doc Rivers also agreeing to return, the Celtics can keep together the core of the 2008 NBA champions for at least two more years.

Allen's agent, Lon Babby, told the AP that the second year is a player option. NBA teams are not allowed to sign free agents until Thursday.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/ne ... id=5362387



yay

and

[Andrew]

Good for him and good for the Celtics. I would've liked it if the Bulls could've pried him away, but I figured that was going to be a longshot.