BOSTON — There’s a good chance Paul Pierce will play his final game in Boston on Wednesday night. But according to the man himself, there’s also a chance he returns to the team that drafted him, albeit in a different capacity.
The Los Angeles Clippers veteran, who became a Boston Celtics legend over the course of 15 seasons with the club, admitted before Wednesday’s game against his former team at TD Garden that he’s entertained the possibility of joining the Celtics in some role after he retires.
“I’ll just keep all possibilities open,” Pierce told a throng of reporters. “If an opportunity presents itself, I would love to.”
The 38-year-old, who said Wednesday could be his final game at TD Garden but he’s “not 100 percent sure,” said his high regard for the club that finally brought him an NBA championship in 2008 would be the impetus for his return.
“This is a Class A organization with what they’ve been able to do. (Celtics co-owners) Wyc (Grousbeck), Steve (Pagliuca) are great owners. They’ve got a great, young core, a great, young coach (in Brad Stevens), so who knows? Maybe I’ll find a role here some day in the future.”
One man who’s spent plenty of time with Pierce already sees some good coaching qualities in the 10-time All-Star. Pierce is playing less than 20 minutes a game in L.A. and makes a minimal impact on the box score, but Clippers coach Doc Rivers says he makes up for that with his veteran presence.
“He’s been absolutely fantastic for us,” Rivers said of Pierce. “He gives us leadership. He gives us the truth. Instead of me using my voice, I can use Paul’s voice, and that’s been really nice for me.
“This is a different team than the one (in Boston), this is a younger team, and a team that is trying to get over the hump. So, Paul’s been really good.”
Seeing Pierce in a Celtics uniform again seems unlikely, but Wednesday night might not be his final trip to the Garden, after all.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
