Report: Celtics Leaning Toward Buying Out Paul Pierce

The Ohio News Herald is reporting the Boston Celtics are strongly leaning toward buying out veteran forward Paul Pierce over the next few weeks.

Pierce is due $15 million next season, but the Celts can buyout the surefire Hall of famer for a fraction of that and seemingly, once and for all, start GM Danny Ainge’s rebuilding plan in earnest.

Indeed, it’s a season of transition for the Celts, who are still awaiting word from All-Star forward Kevin Garnett as to whether or not he plans to return and only recently received assurances from longtime Coach Doc Rivers that he will again be on the sidelines next season.

According to The Herald, Pierce's departure would save the Celtics roughly $10 million in salary cap space and absolve them having to pay any luxuries taxes. Besides that, Ainge has long been intrigued with the idea of rebuilding around the core of Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green, Avery Bradley and Jared Sullinger.

And it’s not as if Pierce won’t have interested suitors. Besides his hometown L.A. Clippers, Cleveland and perhaps Dallas and Houston are also thought to have interest.

However it all plays out, Pierce seems to have resigned himself to the notion his run in Boston may indeed be up, telling ESPN several weeks ago that he didn’t see himself returning.

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