Paul Pierce Reportedly Signs 3-Year Deal with Los Angeles Clippers

Unrestricted free agent Paul Pierce was courted by several contenders, but the Los Angeles Clippers ended up securing the coveted veteran, according to Dan Woike of the Orange County Register.

David Aldridge of NBA.com added that Pierce agreed to a three-year deal worth $3.3 million per season, with an option on the final year of the deal. 

The news comes as a bit of a shock to the Washington Wizards, who were growing "increasingly optimistic" regarding their chances of inking Pierce to a new deal, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein.

Pierce declined his $5.5 million player option in order to become an unrestricted free agent.

Pierce thrived throughout his lone season in the nation's capital, averaging 11.9 points and four rebounds while shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from three. His three-point conversion rate was the highest of his career dating back to the 2009-10 season.

Playing alongside a distributive savant in John Wall and a proven scorer like Bradley Beal, Pierce was free to play the role of ancillary scorer and veteran leader. He even chimed in with postseason heroics against the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors.  

With the Clippers currently shrouded in uncertainty, Pierce is putting his faith in his old coach, Doc Rivers.