It's hard to image that future Hall of Fame forward Paul Pierce would even play an NBA game for a team other than the Boston Celtics, but apparently general manager Danny Ainge was working the phones and letting teams know that even Pierce had a price next to his name. In fact, Ainge offered Pierce up to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for MarShon Brooks, Mirza Teletović, Kris Humphries and two future first-round picks, according to Fred Kerber of the New York Post.
NBA trade rumors: Celtics offered Paul Pierce to Nets but ‘asked for lots’
The Boston Celtics reportedly offered Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets, but they asked for too much in return.
Bruce Bennett
Source sed #Celtics called #BrooklynNets re PPierce & asked 4 lots: MBrooks, MTeletovic, KHumphries & two future 1st rounders
— Fred Kerber (@FredKerber) February 22, 2013
The Nets didn't have many assets to offer teams in trades this season, but Ainge basically asked for everything except for Bojan Bogdanović in this rumored offer. That's a hefty price for a 35-year-old Paul Pierce making $16.7 million this season with a $15.3 million player option for 2013-14. It's almost as if the offer exists to hypothetically crush the long-term future of the Nets.
Brooklyn already has given Atlanta the right to swap with their 2014 and 2015 first-round picks, so parting with more control over first-round selections would have stripped the Nets of any opportunities to secure cost-controlled young talent for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, Ainge asked for some of Brooklyn’s best young players (slim pickings) in the rumored swap.
Billy King, you passed the test...this time.
More in the NBA:
See More:
