Paul Pierce Mulling Retirement, May Play One More Season
BOSTON (CBS) -- Paul Pierce isn't sure if he'll be back for a 19th NBA season next year, but hasn't made a final decision just yet.
That decision by the former Celtics star will come in the next few weeks, Pierce told The Boston Globe Wednesday night prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
If he does return for the 2016-17 NBA season, Pierce said it will be his last.
"Well, we always say it's 51-49. I get 51 percent of the vote and the rest of [the family] gets 49," Pierce told Gary Washburn of The Globe. "[My wife's] input carried a lot of weight. We'll figure out some things. I know I don't want to be sitting at home, whatever I do, regardless. If I come back, it will be one more [season] and that will be it. No doubt."
The 38-year-old Pierce is coming off his worst statistical season of his career, averaging a career-low 6.1 points on 36.3 percent shooting over just 18 minutes per game with the Los Angeles Clippers. He has two years remaining on a three-year, $10 million deal he signed with L.A. last summer.
"Really, it's all about how I feel mentally, getting up and I'm thinking about the grind," he said. "People don't understand, I think a lot of guys retire because of what it takes to [get on the court] each season. You can take the grind once you are in it, but getting ready for the grind is the hard part."
The 2015-16 campaign was a difficult one for Pierce, who played in 68 games. He averaged just 10.8 minutes per game in L.A.'s first-round loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 1.2 points over five games on 17 percent shooting from the floor.
"I thought I had one more good year [this past season], but obviously I didn't like how it all went with my role," he said. "I'm still just trying to figure it out. A lot has got to do with my role I'm going to play. To come back and sit 82 games, I don't know if I can do that."
Pierce has already reached out to former Celtics teammate Kevin Garnett, who at 40 is also considering an end to his NBA career, about his impending decision. Pierce averaged 20 points per game over his career since being drafted 10th overall by the Celtics in 1998.
Here's hoping "The Truth" inks a one-day contract with Boston so he can officially retire as a member of the Celtics.