On this day in Boston Celtics history, legendary forward Paul Pierce was “waived” by the Celtics as the 15-season veteran of the team retired with the franchise that drafted him out of the University of Kansas with the 10th overall pick of the 1998 NBA draft.
Pierce had signed a one-day contract with the team the day prior for this reason, hanging up his sneakers for good the following day. “The organization and city took me in and made me one of their own, and I couldn’t imagine ending my career any other way,” explained the Oakland, native in a statement at the time (via the NBA). “I’m a Celtic for life.”
The former Jayhawk brought a championship to Boston in 2008 — the first in decades for the storied franchise — and won many other honors in his time in green and white.
It was also on this date in 2013 that Brazilian big man Vitor Faverani was signed by the Celtics for a three-year deal.
The Puerto Alegre native only played one season for the team, spending much time with the (then) Maine Red Claws (now, Celtics), and would be waived after a knee injury sidelined him for all of the subsequent season.
Faverani averaged 4.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in his time with Boston.
Also on this date, former Celtic guard Jason Terry signed with Boston and played only one season with the aging core of the Banner 17 crew of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo.
At the end of that season, the Arizona product would be dealt along with Garnett, Pierce, and D.J. White and draft assets to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Keith Bogans, MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, Kris Joseph, Gerald Wallace, and the draft picks that drove the team’s rebuild into its current roster.
Terry averaged 10.1 points, 2 boards, and 2.5 assists per game as a Celtic.
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