The Brooklyn Nets, after splurging on high-priced trades and free agent signings two seasons ago, no longer believes it can contend according to ex-forward Paul Pierce.
After serving as an unconventional stretch power forward in a small-ball scheme last season that rescued Brooklyn's season and helped them reach the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, Pierce said he didn't even receive an offer from the team.
"Truthfully, I thought I was going to end up back in Brooklyn, with Kevin [Garnett]. I told Kevin, if you're not going to retire, then I probably will come back. But when Brooklyn didn't give me an offer, it was like, I talked to him, and I kind of started looking at my options then," Pierce said.
Last season Pierce averaged 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists, all of which were career lows. He attempted 9.5 shots per game, another career low, while playing 28 minutes, the fewest of his career. He remained a valuable threat from the outside though, connecting on 37 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Pierce told NBA.com that the front office, dealing with rumors that billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov is interested in selling the franchise, doesn't believe it can contend for a title this year and wants to reduce spending.
"They said they wanted to cut costs, they felt like they weren't going to be a contender. Right now, they're kind of in the middle right now. And I really didn't want to be in the middle. I didn't know if they wanted to do a sign-and-trade. I had to make my own destiny. I couldn't put it in the faith of somebody else. And that's when I was like, I'm coming here."
Pierce has joined the Washington Wizards on a two-year $10.8 million, and despite diminished output with Brooklyn is expected to start at small forward, his natural position.
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