Pierce to Sign

[Paul Bauer <pdbauer@yahoo.com>]

BOSTON (AP) -- Paul Pierce, the Celtics' leading
scorer last season, has agreed to a six-year contract
extension, The Boston Globe reported Tuesday. 

Pierce would earn more than $85 million, according to
the NBA's collective bargaining agreement. The
contract would take effect after next season, Pierce's
fourth with the Celtics in which he is to make $2.05
million. 

The exact amount of Pierce's extension can't be
determined until next summer, when the league sets the
salary cap for 2002-03. 

Pierce's agent, Jeffrey Schwartz, did not immediately
return a call. Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss said
Tuesday the team would not comment. 

Pierce flew to Boston from his Los Angeles-area home
in anticipation of the announcement, which could come
as soon as Wednesday, the newspaper said. 

``Once Paul is officially extended, that means our two
cornerstones -- Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce -- will
be in the fold for a long time,'' general manager
Chris Wallace told the Globe. ``It means you have an
excellent chance to develop continuity. Also, you have
your main pieces in place. Now, you have to build
around them.'' 

Last season, Pierce averaged 25.3 points, eighth in
the league in scoring. He was the first Celtic to
score more than 2,000 points since Larry Bird in
1987-88 season. 

Pierce would receive the maximum amount allowable
under the collective bargaining agreement, which
amounts to 25 percent of the 2002-03 cap, with raises
of 12.5 percent each year after that. 

Other teams can offer only 10 percent raises annually.
The provision is designed to keep emerging stars with
their teams. 



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