Paul Pierce Comments on Retirement Plans Following Loss to Trail Blazers

Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce stated he's unsure whether he'll be back for another season after the team was eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs by the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.

Arash Markazi of ESPN noted the 38-year-old star called it a "50-50" decision regarding potential retirement. Clippers sideline reporter Kristina Pink added Pierce wanted to avoid making an emotional decision right after the postseason exit.

Los Angeles won its first two games against the Blazers to open the playoffs. The Clippers lost the next two in Portland, however, and then Chris Paul and Blake Griffin were both sidelined by injuries, transforming the team from a potential sleeper into an also-ran.

Pierce played an extremely minor role in the series, even after the team's leading scorers were forced out of the lineup. He averaged only 1.2 points and 1.2 rebounds while shooting 16.7 percent from the floor in five appearances, including one start.

Those numbers came after the least productive regular season of the California native's career. He checked in at just 6.1 points and 2.7 rebounds while playing a shade over 18 minutes per contest as part of the Clippers rotation.

Whenever a player who's enjoyed so much success in the past starts to play a far less important role, the retirement questions become inevitable.

Pierce is under contract for two more seasons. He's scheduled to have a cap hit slightly over $3.5 million both years, with his 2017-18 salary only partially guaranteed, according to Spotrac.

If he decides it's time to walk away, he'll do so with an outstanding resume. The Kansas Jayhawks product was named an All-Star 10 times and got selected as the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player while capturing his only title with the Boston Celtics in 2008.

Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports pointed out it won't take long for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to come calling:

Pierce, who's also made stops with the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards, is an ultra competitor, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he opted to come back for another season. But if this marks the end of his career, he'll go down as one of the top players of his era.