NBA Rumors: 8 NBA Teams That Must Push for Paul Pierce

The Boston Celtics are struggling right now.

Dropping to 4-8 on the season after a fifth consecutive loss, Danny Ainge may face a difficult decision on breaking up his Big Three.

That decision may come sooner rather than later.

Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett come off the books this season, but Paul Pierce still has two years and $32 million remaining on his contract.

Ainge could opt to go for the complete rebuild and deal Pierce for a shorter contract.

With all three off the books, the Celtics could become major players in free agency the next two seasons.

If that's the route that Ainge feels he needs to go with Pierce, here's a look at some teams that need to push for him.

Los Angeles Lakers

Everyone from Phil Jackson to Kobe Bryant to Lakers fans have at one time or another commented on the fact that the Lakers need to make moves.

While a point guard is their true need at this time, it could be difficult to pass on a guy like Pierce to pair with Bryant and their talented big guys.

New Jersey Nets

The Nets are miserable, and Deron Williams is frustrated.

While it's been thought that his future in New Jersey is completely tied to a Dwight Howard trade, if the Nets can't get Howard, they could make a run at Pierce in an attempt to convince Williams to stay.

Pierce and the fact that they are the only team that could offer Williams a fifth year could be enough to convince him to re-sign and buy the Nets a couple of years to figure out their next move.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers keep on winning, and this could be the year they make a run.

Yet while winning without a true go-to guy is fine now, they need that type of guy to win in the postseason.

Pierce could be an intriguing option.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are another team that could be looking to make a run this season and could use a veteran like Pierce, who has been there and has won before.

Acquiring that type of player could go a long way.

Orlando Magic

One thing that most of these teams have in common is that it would take a ton of creativity to be able to take on a contract like Pierce's.

Orlando is no exception, but Dwight Howard has been asking general manager Otis Smith to add championship-caliber talent.

Could Pierce be exactly the guy to get Howard to stay in Orlando?

Minnesota Timberwolves

Assuming they sign Kevin Love to a contract extension, they have some young parts that could interest Boston.

Adding Pierce to a team that already includes Love, Ricky Rubio and others could put Minnesota in the thick of things in the Western Conference.

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs tried to land every free agent small forward during the offseason but failed every time.

Because of that, they didn't use the amnesty clause on Richard Jefferson, and Jefferson has rewarded the Spurs with a decent season.

Yet Pierce still resembles and upgrade for San Antonio, and they would be wise to add him in an attempt to make one more run with their current group.

Houston Rockets

Former Celtic great Kevin McHale has the Rockets playing very well as of late, and while they do have a star in the making in point guard Kyle Lowry, the Rockets won't make a playoff run without adding a big piece.

Pierce could be a nice addition for Houston.