Pierce still undecided on future but could retire as a Celtic – Rivers

Veteran Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce will be given the chance to retire as a Boston Celtics player should he decide to call it a day in the NBA, revealed coach Doc Rivers.

Pierce, 38, is “50/50” on whether to continue playing after completing his 18th NBA season.

The 10-time NBA All-Star joined the Clippers last July but made his name with the Celtics, where he won the 2008 championship during a stellar 15 seasons.

And should Pierce retire from the game, former Celtics boss Rivers said he will do it in Boston.

“If Paul decides to retire, then we’re going to make sure that Boston picks him up for one day and he retires a Celtic, because that’s what he should retire as,” Rivers told The Vertical podcast on Thursday.

“So we have all that in place. We just don’t know what he’s going to do.”

In 2015-16, former Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards man Pierce averaged 6.1 points and 2.7 rebounds for the Clippers.

Rivers, who guided the Clippers to the first round of the Western Conference playoffs last season, added: “I think Paul’s going back and forth on it, and I want to give him room. I think he deserves it.

“From a team perspective, you would love that he made his decision eight weeks ago. I think there are certain guys that you just have to give time to, and Paul’s one of them.”