There has been rumors lately that the Boston Celtics are looking to move Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. The Celtics have until midnight June 30th to make there decision on Pierce. There options are buy out his contract for 5 million dollars, let him play one more year or trade him. Sunday there were rumors circulating that that the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks were showing interest in Pierce. The rumors were that the Cavs have offered the Celtics two second round draft picks. So far there is no word on what or if the Bucks offered anything or if there just showing interest. So today I am going to give some pro's and con's if the cavaliers do decide to pick up Pierce for two second round picks.
PROS
Paul Pierce averaged 18.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists this past season. Those numbers are pretty good considering Pierce is a 35 year old veteran. Since the Cavs seem to be leaning towards drafting a center with first pick in the draft Pierce could fill the weakness they have at the small forward position. Two things that the Cavs have been struggling with in the post LeBron era is three point shooting and most importantly defense. And not to mention Mike Brown is a defensive minded coach. Everyone who has seen Pierce play knows that he can shoot all day and that he is a very good defender. Also if the Cavs decide to draft a small forward it would be good to have whoever he is most likely Oladipo or Porter play behind a hall of fame small forward like Pierce for a year. If the Cavs get Pierce it will also give them another much needed scorer because Kyrie and Waiters can't do everything by themselves and it will take a lot of pressure off of kyrie and possibly limit his injuries because he will have more help on the offensive end .
CONS
Paul Pierce is currently 35 years old but by the beginning of the year he will be 36 years old. The Cavs would have to give up two 2nd round picks for a 36 year old, this is a weak draft but you still never know you could find a diamond in the rough. Now the worst thing of all about acquiring Pierce is that next season he is due 15.3 million dollars. Do the Cavs really want to take on that contract and not be able to sign any free agents this year? A few free agents this year that the Cavs could potentially go after are Andre Iguadola, Boris Diaw, Josh Smith, Al Jefferson, and Marco Bellinelli. On that note would signing Pierce and not being able to go after any of those players be worth it? They could sign one of those players and have them for years or sign Paul Pierce and have him for one year. In a year where the Cavs are not going to make a championship run would signing pierce for one year be worth not getting two young rookies in the second round or not signing a star free agent? these are all things that the Cavs front office will be thinking about this week. And one thing to keep in mind is that Paul Pierce has a no trade clause.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion I think that the Cavs will really have to think long and hard and take in all the Pros and Cons of trading for Pierce. I think this could be a strategy of the Cavaliers, because if they draft Oladipo or Porter it would be great experience for either of them to play behind, and learn from Pierce for a year. I think that if the Cavs get a Center that they may trade for Pierce and have him for a year just to fill the small forward position and than next year go after LeBron. Trading for Paul Pierce all falls on what free agents the Cavs are eyeing and what rookie there planning on drafting, on Thursday. In the end I wouldn't be surprised if the Cavs had Pierce next year, but I also wouldn't be surprised if he isn't a Cavalier due to the talented free agent class, they surely want to have options this offseason and signing Pierce would limit there options significantly.
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