New Jersey Nets: Was Paul Pierce a Better Option Than Gerald Wallace?

The New Jersey Nets failed to acquire Dwight Howard at the trade deadline. In response to not getting Howard, the Nets panicked and acquired Gerald Wallace at the trade deadline.

They gave up center Mehmet Okur, small forward Shawne Williams and their protected 2012 first-round pick. The pick is top-three protected, which means the Nets will keep the pick if they finish in the top three of the draft lottery. What they got back in Wallace is a solid all-around player. He also has a player-option at the end of the season.

The Nets made the move in an effort to further convince Deron Williams to re-sign with them after the season. They felt they had to make a move that would improve the team. 

According to Bill Simmons from Grantland.com, the Nets could have acquired Paul Pierce at the deadline for the same deal they got Wallace for. 

Now that we know that, who was the better option?

One of the biggest reasons the Nets chose Wallace over Pierce was age. Pierce is 34 years old and has 13 years of experience. Wallace is only 29 years old and has been in the league for 10 years. Five years is a big difference between veteran players, especially as a long-term option.

The Nets have struggled with consistency this season. They needed another option to turn to for steady scoring. Wallace is a versatile player but not someone you can depend on to takeover the scoring game. Throughout his career, Pierce has been that reliable scoring option for the Celtics.

In his career, Pierce has averaged 22 PPG. He has never averaged less than 16.5 PPG, in any season. Wallace has averaged 13.5 PPG throughout his career. Wallace has never averaged over 20 PPG. The scoring edge clearly goes to Pierce.

The main goal of the Nets this season, was to convince Williams to re-sign. The best way to do that is by winning.

At the trade deadline, the Nets were only 4.5 games out of the playoffs. If the Nets made the playoffs, that would have showed Williams that they are improving.

While Wallace is a better long-term option, Pierce may have been enough to get the Nets in the playoffs. In March, Wallace averaged 14.1 PPG and Pierce averaged 22.3 PPG. The difference in their points could have been the difference in some of the Nets games.

If Pierce was able to push the Nets into the playoffs this season, then he would have been a better option. However, if he was unable to get them in, Wallace is the better option long-term for the Nets.