Nets fall short of expectations after blockbuster trade moves last summer.
Brooklyn Nets veteran forward Paul Pierce has insisted that he still has “something in the tank” after their season came to an end on Wednesday night.
After the Miami Heat clinched a 4-1 series win in the Eastern Conference semi-finals clash with the Nets, Pierce has revealed he will have to consider his future this summer given that his contract expires.
The 36-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent and although the Nets own his Bird Rights, which allows them to offer him more money than any other team, it remains to be seen whether or not they choose to bring him back.
“I haven’t really put much thought into it,” Pierce said, as reported by ESPN.
“I put my whole focus into this season, it’s my last year of the contract. I will sit back and talk to the family and see where my options are from there and go from there.”
“I think I still have something in the tank I can give a team,” he added. “Maybe one or two (years) at the most.”
Long-time rival LeBron James paid tribute to Pierce and team-mate Kevin Garnett, who has one year remaining on his deal, by insisting that their rivalry has improved him as a player and pushed him to become better.
While the Heat star insists that he still sees the pair in Boston green, he praised their championship DNA and ability to compete.
It has been a rocky season for the Nets under rookie head coach Jason Kidd, but after making a 10-21 start and losing Brook Lopez for the season, they were able to turn things around and finish 44-38 despite losing the likes of Pierce and Deron Williams for stretches too.
While there may be a temptation to give the group another year together and remain hopeful on their fitness, it is unclear at this stage what the respective parties will decide.
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