HoopsHype.com Rumors

Sullinger said he hasn’t talked to Garnett or Pierce and that he doesn’t know whether they’ll play for the Celtics next season, but he said he supports them either way. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jared Sullinger 

"We don’t feel like we have a championship team [at the moment]; It’s pretty obvious, we lost in the first round," said Grousbeck. "We have to see who is with us, we have to see what offers there are for people, we’ve got to decide what to do. It might be a multi-year plan. We’ve never intentionally lost games and we don’t intend to trash things now. We've got players -- [Rajon] Rondo, [Avery] Bradley, [Jeff] Green, [Jared] Sullinger, Brandon Bass, the younger guys are not going to let us win the lottery anyway. That’s a good roster. We hope that Paul [Pierce] and [Kevin Garnett] are back with them and we hope we can reload along the way. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Wyc Grousbeck, Kevin Garnett, Owners 

"I want to retire Paul’s number, but I don’t want to do it any time soon because I want him to keep playing for us, to be honest," said Grousbeck. "I want KG back. I want Doc back. I’d love to have Rondo back. I just want to get them more help, that’s my going-in assumption." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Wyc Grousbeck, Owners 

The Lakers' cap situation is atrocious. Don't be shocked if they trade forward/center Pau Gasol, who is recovering from a knee procedure and needs another 10 weeks of rehabilitation. The 7-footer is entering the final year of his contract and will earn $19.28 million next year. The Cavs might be open to a deal like that, adding a veteran player to the group of youngsters on the roster. Another name could be Celtics forward Paul Pierce. News-Herald

Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Paul Pierce, Trade, Pau Gasol 

Admittedly, I was trying to connect dots with the Wolves and Boston's Paul Pierce. But even if Boston buys Pierce out this summer, a source very much downplayed any scenario in which Pierce ends up with the Wolves. Saunders has intimate knowledge of Pierce after consulting for Boston last postseason. 1500 ESPN

Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Paul Pierce, Flip Saunders 

The Celtics have to decide by June 30 whether to buy out Pierce’s contract at $5 million. Ainge said the sides have not had discussions, but an NBA source said Pierce’s family is already beginning to prepare for relocation from Boston, assuming that the Celtics will execute the buyout or trade his expiring contract in the offseason. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Danny Ainge 

Though Ainge regularly talks with Rivers, he said he has not had contact with either Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett, whose futures figure prominently in his immediate plans. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Trade, Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett 

Those close to Paul Pierce believe he will not return to the Boston Celtics next season, according to CSNNE sideline reporter Greg Dickerson – and Pierce might think his days in green are done, as well. "I don't think they will (bring Pierce back)," Dickerson said Sunday on CSNNE. "And I know that the company that Paul Pierce hangs around in, they do not believe – and I don't think Paul Pierce believes – that he is going to be brought back next year at $15 million. I know for a fact that people around Paul Pierce have pretty much resigned themselves to the fact that he's played his final game in a Boston Celtics uniform. Again, Paul wants to stay – obviously for $15 million, but he wants to finish his career in a Celtics uniform." Booth Newspapers

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce 

Pierce averaged 18.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game during the regular season in a career low 33.4 minutes. His shooting percentage dipped to 43.6 primarily because he launched 382 3-pointers, his most since the Big Three Era began. Pierce has value, but it’s tricky. His cachet around the league may have taken a hit because of his playoff performance. The Celtics have to waive him by June 30 and give him a $5 million buyout or his $15.33 million salary becomes guaranteed. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce 

Ainge should determine what the market is for Pierce, using the player’s experience, talent, and expiring contract as bait. The best-case scenario is to obtain a younger player in the middle of a multiyear deal that a team wants to dump. That is an unusual situation, but it did occur a few months ago when the Grizzlies were looking to deal Rudy Gay and talked with the Celtics. The Celtics didn’t think Gay was a franchise-caliber player and passed on a deal for Pierce. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce 

Expect Ainge to keep Pierce for now, partly out of loyalty but primarily because moving him or cutting ties would bring little in return. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce 

As the Celtics began their offseason last night, there were no easy answers in sight. “Well, you’re not going to find Paul Pierces and Kevin Garnetts on the free agent market,” Ainge told the Herald. “Those guys don’t exist — except for guys that are probably going to stay where they are.” Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Free Agency, Danny Ainge, Kevin Garnett 

Greg Dickerson: Talked to some close to Paul, they are certain he's played his last game as a Celtic. Their quote, all good things must come to an end Twitter @gdickerson_csn

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce 

Paul Pierce on next year’s team: “That’s hard to say. I think that’s a question for Danny Ainge and his team to figure out, so I have no idea.” YouTube

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce 

Paul Pierce on his future: “Like I said, that’s up to Danny and them. I have no idea. I definitely expect to be playing next year.” YouTube

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce 

Gary Dzen: Pierce on coming back: "That's a decision for them to make. I've been here 15 years now and there's been changes every year I've been here." Twitter @GlobeGaryDzen

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce 

Evans Clinchy: Doc just denied that "I really didn't want him to go out like that" was an implication of retirement. His tone seemed to say otherwise. Twitter @evansclinchy

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett 

Evans Clinchy: Doc on Pierce: "He's one of the greatest Celtics to ever play. He's done so much for this franchise." Twitter @evansclinchy

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce 

Evans Clinchy: Doc: "Guys are changing teams like socks, but Paul has chosen to stay here throughout his career when clearly he had all rights to leave." Twitter @evansclinchy

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce 

Peter Stringer: Doc on getting band back together next season: "I've given it 0 thought. I immerse myself, that's the only way I can do it. I don't know." Twitter @celtics

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett