THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ESPN.com is reporting Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce has notified the team he will opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent.
Pierce’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, told ESPN.com in a text message Tuesday night the all-star forward will forfeit next season’s US$21.5 million salary for a chance to sign a new four-year deal worth more than $90 million.
Schwartz did not immediately respond to a voicemail left by the AP.
Pierce would become an unrestricted free agent and join a loaded group of NBA stars, including LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, who could be on the move starting Thursday at 12:01 a.m. (ET).
Email from the AP to Celtics owners Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca were not immediately returned.
