ESPN
Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that Pierce has notified the Boston Celtics that he will opt out of the final year of his contract before Wednesday's deadline to do so, which will make Pierce an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.
By opting out, Pierce will forfeit next season's $21.5 million salary but becomes eligible to sign a new four-year deal with the Celtics worth a maximum of $96 million and can receive four-year offers from other teams worth a maximum $93 million.
Asked recently to gauge the likelihood of re-signing Pierce, Celtics vice president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said last week on WEEI Radio in Boston: "I don't know because he may be able to get a long-term contract somewhere else. It may be better than what we have [to offer]."
Well there you have it. Pierce will join the free agent super class of this Summer. If he's opting out with the intent of signing a contract that will enable the Celtics to be more competitive fielding the rest of their team then that's good news. If he's opting out of 21.5 million, because he thinks he's anywhere near a max salary player than he's gone. In his mid 30's, Pierce is not worth anywhere near to 24 million a year. In fact I'd be scared to give him even half that amount 4/48. Things could get really interesting in Boston this July.
