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Report: Clippers “Exploring” Paul Pierce Acquisition

By Michael Hilperts

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While “Doc Rivers the Coach” maintains a reputable status among the NBA community, “Doc Rivers the GM” has been widely criticized for his inability to surround his stars with a capable supporting cast.  Perhaps most baffling of his transactions last season was the mid-season trade for his son, Austin Rivers, which many claim wasn’t for the betterment of the Clippers team, but more an act of nepotism.

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The trade earlier this week that netted the Clippers Lance Stephenson, in exchange for Spencer Hawes and Matt Barnes, could be the trade that either makes or breaks Doc the GM. The transaction left a void in the Clippers’ starting rotation, considering Doc has claimed that he intends to use Stephenson as the Bench’s primary ball-handler, which now requires Doc to find a replacement small forward.

Arash Markazi, of ESPN, reported that the Clippers are now exploring the possibility of signing Paul Pierce, as he would become an instant replacement for Matt Barnes, in addition to being an offensive upgrade. While Pierce can still opt-in to his player option with the Washington Wizards for $5.5 million, the Clippers undoubtedly make an attractive destination for the Los Angeles native.

In addition to getting to retire in his hometown, Pierce will have one last chance to play for Doc Rivers, whom we know is close with Pierce from their time spent together in Boston.  The Clippers are also a more competitive team than the Wizards, as they’re equipped with top-tier talent in DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. While the Clippers failed to make the Western Conference Finals this postseason, they defeated the previously-reining champions in the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.

With Pierce starting for the Clippers it’d offer the team some some flexibility on both the offensive and defensive side. On top of Pierce just simply being a far more well-rounded offensive player, between his three-point shooting (Pierce’s 39% vs Barnes’ 36%) and higher propensity at getting to the line (Pierce’s .320 Free-Throw rate vs Barnes’ .152), Pierce’s ability to play power forward would allow the Clippers to play small-ball extremely effectively in a conference which frequently plays small.

Playing Pierce at the four and using Blake Griffin at the five, would prevent momentum swings created by teams employing the Hack-A-Shaq tactic on DeAndre Jordan, whom we all know hits free throws at a sub-Dwight Howard rate. This would make for a lethal offensive lineup, which would also give Lance Stephenson an opportunity to play with the starting lineup without compromising the Clippers’ floor-spacing.

Pierce’s ability to play power forward came to light when Jason Kidd moved him from the three, prior to the 2014 postseason, and contributed (in addition to moving Shaun Livingston to the starting rotation) to the Nets’ late-season turnaround.

Paul Pierce would also bring the Clippers a much-needed veteran presence with Championship experience.  While Chris Paul is certainly a veteran, he has yet to play in a Conference Finals game.

If Pierce does decide to opt-out of his contract, he would have to take the Clippers’ mini-midlevel exception of $3.37 million, considering the Clippers are primed to offer DeAndre Jordan a max contract this summer, leaving the Clippers little cap room to spare.

While it would’ve been special to see Pierce retire a Celtic, it’d be enjoyable to see him and Doc reunite. It’d also be a nice silver lining for Celtics fans, in the post-Big Three era, to see our old coach and Franchise player team-up to win a Championship in 2016, eight years after they won each of their firsts together.

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