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After opting out the final year of his contract, Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics are nearing the final stages of reaching an agreement on the C’s captain staying with the club. The deal reportedly would pay Pierce $61 million over four years. While Pierce will make a good deal less than the $21,513,521 he would have received this coming season, he received long-term security in the deal. It’s nice to see that Pierce to less money so the team can re-signing fellow veteran free agent, Ray Allen, as well another potential new piece to the puzzle that would be Banner No. 18.

The deal cannot be officially announced until next week if it were to go through. There are still a few kinks to be worked out though. The biggest problem at the moment is the fourth year on the contract and whether it will be guaranteed or not. Pierce is already 32 years old and by the time that fourth year rolls around, the Celtics’ captain will be getting ready to turn 37.

It is pivotal that the Celtics wrap up this deal with Pierce sooner rather than later. Not only is Pierce the face of the franchise but he has now become a premier free agent sought after by many teams in the league. Now that Rudy Gay has agreed to re-sign with the Grizzlies, Pierce was the best small forward on the market next to LeBron James.

Tags: Celtics, NBA Free Agency, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen