Paul Pierce: Days Of NBA Players Staying With One Team Are ‘Long Gone’

We might never again see an NBA legend spend the entirety of his career with one team.

That is the mindset of Paul Pierce, who is with his second team in two years after spending the first 15 seasons of his career with the Boston Celtics.

And, to Pierce, that’s not a bad thing.

“The days are long gone of seeing that one player married to one franchise,” the 37-year-old told The Associated Press. “I was lucky to play (in Boston for) 15 years, Kobe (Bryant)’s lucky to play as many years, (Tim) Duncan, Dirk (Nowitzki). But I think those days are over, to where you’re going to see star players in different places, and it’s going to create more balance.

“People love, they can’t wait for the NBA Finals, but they can’t wait for offseason moves, either. It’s a great thing for our league.”

Pierce joined the Washington Wizards this summer after spending last season with former Celtics teammate Kevin Garnett in Brooklyn. Despite the late-career team jumping, Pierce knows most fans still — and likely always will — picture him in green.

“I know I’ll always be remembered as a Celtic,” he said. “When you spend 15 years in one place, win a championship. Until I win a championship in Washington, everyone’s going to remember me as a Celtic.”

Thumbnail photo via Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports Images