Quick Hitters
Pierce signs with Boston to retire as member of Celtics
BOSTON — The Truth is retiring as a member of the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics announced Monday that they have signed Paul Pierce to a contract so the 10-time AllStar can retire with the team he spent his best 15 seasons in the NBA with. Pierce helped bring a championship in 2008 as part the “Big Three” of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.
Drafted by Boston as the 10th overall pick in 1998, Pierce started a 15-season run that is behind only John Havlicek’s 16 seasons for the most played in a Celtics uniform.
The 39-year-old retires atop the franchise’s lists in 3-point field goals (1,823), free throws (6,434) and steals (1,583). He is also is Boston’s second all-time leading scorer with 24,021 career points, trailing only Havlicek.
Pierce was traded to Brooklyn in 2013, spent the 2014-15 season in Washington and the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers and former Celtics coach Doc Rivers.
Redskins QB Cousins to play another season on franchise tag
The deadline for Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins to sign a long-term deal has passed, meaning the quarterback will play a second consecutive season on the franchise tag.
The team confirmed no agreement by the 4 p.m. EDT Monday deadline. Cousins will make $23.94 million on the franchise tag in 2017 after $19.95 million last year.
The 28-year-old is going into his third full season as Washington’s starter. He set franchise records with 4,166 and 4,917 yards the past two seasons.
Cousins and executives called negotiations positive, and they may go through this again next spring. If Washington uses the franchise tag again for 2018, Cousins would get a 44 percent raise to $34.47 million, or they could transition tag him at a cost of $28.78 million.
Pirates OF Marte humbled in return from suspension
PITTSBURGH — Starling Marte insists he still isn’t sure exactly how the illegal steroid that cost the Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder an 80-game suspension got into his system. All set to return Tuesday night, he stressed he did not inject himself with Nandrolone but understands he was “careless” while spending last offseason in his native Dominican Republic.
“That’s something I regret, not being careful enough,” Marte said through translator Mike Gonzalez on Monday in the final hours before his forced half-season sabbatical ends.
The 28-year-old, a two-time Gold Glove winner and one-time All-Star, apologized to his teammates in the minutes after his suspension was handed down on April 18. He offered a broader one to the organization and the fan base, well aware his misstep could follow him for the remainder of his career.
“’’I can’t lie to you, there is a bit of a concern,” Marte said. “But I respect anything that’s thrown my way, I understand it. I would wish that things would go smoothly but I can’t say that they will. Whether it goes positively or negatively, I will be motivated.”
The Pirates entered Monday night’s game against Milwaukee at 38-41 during Marte’s absence and 44-48 overall.