National Basketball Association

How does Paul Pierce cool nerves of NBA free agency? Play in World Series of Poker

Published Jul. 8, 2014 7:02 p.m. ET

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Paul Pierce is an unrestricted free agent searching for what could be his last NBA contract.

So, how is the 10-time NBA All-Star preparing for free agency? By participating in the World Series of Poker.

Pierce tweeted a photo of himself Monday holding a stack of poker chips and wearing sunglasses.

Playin in WSOP today wish me luck pic.twitter.com/R08LsUgfhG
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) July 7, 2014

This seems to be an annual event for Pierce, who was spotted in Las Vegas during last year’s WSOP.

And @paulpierce34 wins another pot in the $10K PLO event at the @wsop (cc: @espn @SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/jKh3sdrDeb
— Andrew Feldman (@AFeldmanESPN) July 6, 2013

Pierce, 36, isn’t hoping to develop a strong poker face for free-agent negotiation tactics after his contract with the Brooklyn Nets expired this season. He views the game as therapeutic.

“I think poker has really helped me develop patience and that helps me in everything I do in life,” Pierce told PokerListings in 2011. “It helps me on the basketball court, to be more patient and to be more of a thinking player and to be smarter out there.

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