imo, the only reason Pierce has opted out is because he's looking to move. Ray Allen is likely leaving Boston, Perkins is apparently 6 months away from playing again, and KG is getting older. Rondo and their bench isn't a championship calliber team. Pierce has made lots of money over his career, and he is someone who would take a paycut to get on a winner. Would not be surprised to see Pierce leave the Celtics in the off-season.

He will re-sign with the Celtics for a deal that is worth slightly more than his current deal but runs longer.

He's also probably doing this to avoid being a free agent next off-season, which looks likley to be heading to another lock-out. The new CBA will probably make it impossible for anyone to be able to sign a contract like the one he will sign this off-season.

And Amare Stoudemire has also opted out...

Yes, players on their last year are definitely worried about the lockout. It seems they will be happy to make less next year in order to sign a longer contract that gets them more over the long term. Richard Jefferson might opt out FFS! He is set to earn $15m next year. I doubt he'd even get that over a 3 or 4 year contract!

Doc Rivers has just announced he's returning to the Celtics, fwiw,

Rumour is New Jersey may go after him if they don't land one of the big 3 or 4 FA. If not he will sign with Boston again. Ray Allen has suggested it depends on whether Pierce signs again with Boston as to wheter he will stay with them again or move on.

Kevin Brooks on his Inside the Game Facebook page:

Yo, how many ballers get to start, win a title and finish their careers with the same team.....who happens to be the most winningest title-holder in NBA history? Therefore I can't see 'The Truth' leaving Boston! It's just an attempt to get a better contract with the Celtics!! Why would you leave? J-Fry you're hallucinating thinking PP is heading back to LA to play with the Clips! Time for bed Bro!! Holla!

I hope he is opting out simply to restructure a new contract. With Doc staying I think the Celtics are going to give it one more season before blowing it up which hopefully indicates PP remains a Celtic. If Doc had left I wouldn't have been so sure on PP staying.

If I were the Celtics I wouldn't be offer PP the a max contract for 4 yrs at his age. The Celtics would be better off trying to a younger superstar eg Lebron or Wade.

A hard decision given PP loyality to the club but a smart business move IMO. I reckon they will regret the length of his deal at those $$$ if it proceeds.

Its not so much the possibility of a lockout that has players running, its the type of contracts that will be presented under the new agreement. Ideas that have been suggested include non-guaranteed contracts for all players, or maximum term of 3 years only.

So by opting out now, Pierce leaves $21M on the table, but would hope to sign a 4-5 year deal guaranteed for $60-70M - which survives no matter what happens with the new CBA. And if the Celtics don't want to re-sign him, I am sure someone like the Clippers wil pay that amount.

Obvioulsy the agent for Richard Jefferson has got strong indications from somewhere that he will be offered a 4-5 year deal worth much more than the $15M he is giving up. Maybe $8M per year?

Aside from base salary, there are other sources of income for an NBA player - a % of all revenue made from merchandise (basketball cards, t-shirts etc) gets divided up evenly amongst the NBA Players Association; Extra bonuses from Playoff participation; NBA Superannuation or pension;

So the longer a player is in the league, the more he can potentially earn outside of his base salary. And with the possibility of non-guaranteed contracts in 2011/12, 5 years guaranteed looks pretty good right now.

Kenton can't get 6 years from Chicago unless it's a sign and trade...

Damn iPhone.. Lebron lebron lebron.

Haha!

Holy molybdenum! Enter David Pogue.

You could at least fix it.....

Ha ha, nice one Bo....

TR, then my laughing and Bo's post and DB5's post would lack context...

Talk about taking one for the forum :)

Chewy are you saying Rondo isnt good enough to play in a championship??? If that is your point clearly you have NO IDEA!!! did u even watch the playoffs?

If there was no KOBE, Rondo would have had the finals MVP in the bag.

F*****s............ :)

Isaac, give hereschenes a ball....

lol... thanks. I think.

Pierce is set to stay in Boston for 4 years on $61 million.