Paul Pierce leaves the Nets for two-year deal with the Wizards
In one of the most shocking twists this offseason the Brooklyn Nets allow Paul Pierce to walk away and sign a two year $11 million deal with the Washington Wizards.
This news is stunning to Nets fans who always thought Pierce would return to the team for a second year knowing they could pay him the most money in free agency along with owning his Bird rights.
Brooklyn gave up a ton, three first round picks and players, to acquire Pierce and Kevin Garnett in the blockbuster trade last offseason so seeing him away after one year is hard to swallow.
Pierce averaged 13.5 points per game and grabbed 4.6 rebounds per game last season although the numbers don’t tell his story as his leadership was what Brooklyn lacked and he filled that role very well.
The Nets obviously think they have enough young talent at the forward position with this years second round draft pick of Cory Jefferson and the recent acquisitions of Bojan Bogdanovic and Sergey Karasev to allow Pierce to walk away.
Billy King repeatedly emphasized this offseason that the Nets wanted to be “financially responsible” but this is one move no one saw coming.
This is a huge gamble by Brooklyn in my opinion as I have always stated that Pierces professionalism and leadership were exactly what the Nets had been missing for three years so this is a hard pill to swallow right now for Nets fans because he only took $11 million for two years with an opt-out after one season to join a non contender.
Obama , J Wall here I come
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) July 13, 2014
ESPN has learned that Pierce will sign a two-year deal with the Wizards at the mid-level exception with a player option entering Year 2
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 13, 2014
Source confirms that Paul Pierce has agreed to sign with the Wizards.
— Stefan Bondy (@NYDNInterNets) July 13, 2014
Pierce at $5.5 million a year is a nice price. Gets to play with young emerging core in DC. They are gonna be tough in the East #Nets
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) July 13, 2014
Not surprised Pierce is going someplace else. I am surprised it's Washington
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) July 13, 2014
Sources say the #Nets elected to pass on Pierce and are moving on
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) July 13, 2014
Nets spent the day after the season PREACHING continuity. Now they have a new coach. New starting SF. And Kevin Garnett? Who knows, now…
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) July 13, 2014
https://twitter.com/notoriousohm/status/488182859849416704