We can waive Pierce, pay him the $5M (it counts against cap) then structure the $10M he'd make over the next 2/3 years. Let's say it's $3M this year and $3.3M and $3.6M for the next 2 years with player options. That means it's $8M against the cap this year which saves us $7.2M while keeping the team together.
The way you sell this to PP is that he can make his last 2-3 years as a Celtics more competitive while guaranteeing that he retires a Celtic through a no-trade clause. I don't see why he wouldn't do this. If it's a money thing then I don't begrudge Ainge cutting or trading him in the off-season.
Ainge has also recently said that if Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are a team's 2nd and 3rd best players, or 3rd and 4th best players, that it's a "really, really special" team.
I could not agree more. Having 4-6 players that are all good to great players is how we'll beat the Heat next year. Hopefully the Grizzlies do it this year
Especially if we get a reasonably good center in the draft. Gobert, Dieng or even a FA big who can eat up minutes without blowing a lead.