Paul Pierce signs with Boston to retire as a Celtic

Paul Pierce spent the first 15 years of his career with the Boston Celtics.

Paul Pierce signed a contract with the Boston Celtics on Monday so he can retire as a member of the organization, the team announced.

Pierce was drafted No. 10 in the 1998 draft by the Celtics and spent the first 15 seasons of his 19-year career in Boston.

While with the Celtics, Pierce made the All-Star team 10 times and won Finals MVP in 2008, when the Celtics won their 17th Championship in team history. He is top-five in franchise history in games played, field goals, assists and blocks. Only John Havlicek has played more seasons with the Celtics.

Officially signed ✅ https://t.co/2ruCR4jh1g

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 17, 2017

He's baaaaaack #TheTruth pic.twitter.com/cwaSW5lKHU

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 17, 2017

Paul Pierce will retire in green ☘️

📝: https://t.co/GS43Xh4e8E pic.twitter.com/Xbry4V612Y

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 17, 2017

Couldn't resist the parquet https://t.co/RAU8UGx9cr

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 17, 2017

"It's an honor to have this opportunity to once again call myself a Boston Celtic," Pierce said in a statement. "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. I'm a Celtic for life."

Understanding The NBA Shortage Of Wing Players

In his 1,102 games with the Celtics, Pierce averaged 21.8 points and six rebounds in 36.6 minutes a game.