Paul Pierce is a member of the Los Angeles Clippers.
The 10-time NBA All-Star made it official Friday by signing his contract.
With Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan all back next season, the addition of Pierce makes the Clippers all the more dangerous.
Pierce gives the Clippers something they don't have, a crafty veteran who's won it all. And he historically shoots the three better than any rotation Clipper not named J.J. Redick.
Pierce shot 38.7 percent from three last season while averaging 11.9 points per game. And he was better in the postseason, shooting 52.3 percent from three with a point-per-game average of 14.6. Pierce is 16th in NBA scoring with 25,899 points.
At this time, it's unknown if Pierce will be a member of the starting five. Given his history with Doc Rivers, odds are Pierce will start. But Lance Stephenson was brought in for a reason. Now Jamal Crawford, given he's not dealt this summer, will have some help off the bench -- whether it be Pierce or Stephenson.
Pierce starred at nearby Inglewood High before playing three years at Kansas and then being drafted 10th overall in 1998.
He helped Boston win the 2008 NBA title and was named MVP of the finals when Rivers was coaching the Celtics.
Rivers recruited Pierce as part of the group that visited DeAndre Jordan in Houston on Wednesday, when the big man reneged on his verbal agreement to join the Mavericks and decided to re-sign with the Clippers.
Although Pierce is new to the Clippers, Rivers said his 18 years in the NBA made him relevant in that situation.
"He was great," Rivers said Thursday. "He's always been pretty straightforward and a team builder."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
