Celtics, Pierce reach agreement

By Steve Bulpett | Friday, July 2, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Paul Pierce will remain a Celtic.

The club has reached agreement with its captain on a new contract, according to sources. The deal is for four years at $61 million with certain options for both sides after the first three.

The papers cannot be signed and the deal cannot be officially announced until next week.

Pierce opted out of the final year of his previous contract and became an unrestricted free agent at 12:01 Thursday. But he took that route with the intention of re-signing with the Celtics [team stats] in a deal that would help his own future and allow the club better maneuverability.

Pierce will in the 2010-11 season make significantly less that the $21,513,521 he was scheduled to receive. That will aid the Celtics’ position versus the luxury tax.

It’s important to note that, while the basic parameters of Pierce’s new contract (years, money) have been agreed upon in principle, there are still a number of details to be worked out — as one would expect when more than $60 million is involved.

There is no doubt the sides have achieved their main goal of keeping Pierce in Green, but the deal will gain more definitive shape before it can be signed next Thursday.

The team’s other big-name free agent, Ray Allen, has been contacted, but it remains to be seen what other type of interest he gets from NBA teams looking for a veteran shooter.

Nevertheless, Pierce’s return, on the heels of Doc Rivers’ decision to return as coach, means the Celtics are well on their way toward restoring most of the team that came up a game short in the NBA Finals in June.

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