Following a disappointing first-round exit with the L.A. Clippers on Sunday, Paul Pierce said one final goodbye to the Staples Center and the NBA, but will be saying hello again to the TD Garden in the near future.
Boston Celtics CEO Wyc Grousbeck confirmed during an appearance on the Toucher & Rich show that no one else will wear Pierce's No. 34 in franchise history starting next season.
“We went through ups and downs, him stripping off his jersey in [Indiana],” recalled Grousbeck. “He stuck with us and we built a team around him, and that was fun.”
Pierce was drafted 10th overall by the Celtics in 1998 and played 15 seasons under that jersey before departing for a short stint with the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, and the Clippers. He brought Boston its 17th banner atop the TD Garden in 2008 along with fellow Hall-of-Fame hopefuls Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.
Along with his jersey retirement ceremony, the Oakland native could potentially have a role within the team after this season, as he's made it clear that he wants to be involved with the team after calling it a career.
“There have been conversations in general by people close to him,” said Grousbeck. “But we haven’t been allowed to talk directly to Paul while he’s been playing. He’s made it clear he’ll always feel like a Celtic and this is his basketball home. I think he wants to come back. We’re a little busy right now, thank goodness, and we’ll speak to him when the time is right.
“I’d like to get Danny [Ainge] and Brad [Stevens’] input on it the this offseason, and see what Paul would like to do. But he’s a Finals MVP, and the last player to wear No. 34 for us.”
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