Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Paul Pierce

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 10, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Paul Pierce made an impact.

Paul Pierce is a retired American professional basketball player who spent 19 seasons in the NBA. He is best known for his time with the Boston Celtics, where he won a championship in 2008 and earned the NBA Finals MVP award. Pierce was a ten-time All-Star and is regarded as one of the Celtics' all-time greatest players. After retiring from basketball, he has become a sports analyst, currently contributing to FS1's show Speak.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1998: Entered the 1998 NBA draft

In 1998, Paul Pierce left the University of Kansas following his junior season and entered the NBA draft.

1998: Drafted by the Boston Celtics

In 1998, Paul Pierce was drafted by the Boston Celtics as the 10th overall pick and scored 19 or more points in 10 of his first 11 contests.

2001: Led the Celtics to the playoffs for the first time in seven years

In the 2001 season, Paul Pierce led the Celtics to the playoffs for the first time in seven years and on to the Eastern Conference Finals.

2007: Forms the "Big Three" with Garnett and Allen

In 2007, Paul Pierce combined with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to form a "Big Three" on the Boston Celtics.

2007: Requested trade to Dallas Mavericks

In 2007, Paul Pierce requested a trade to the Dallas Mavericks and stated he would publicly demand a trade unless the Celtics acquired a co-star for him.

2007: Celtics acquired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett

Prior to the 2007 season, the Celtics acquired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett who combined with Pierce to form a "Big Three".

2008: Pierce and the Celtics looked to repeat as world champions

During the 2008-2009 NBA season, Pierce and the Celtics looked to repeat as world champions

2008: Faced off against the Lakers in a rematch of the 2008 NBA Finals

In 2010, the Celtics faced off against the Lakers in a rematch of the 2008 NBA Finals and took a 3–2 lead heading back to Los Angeles

June 29, 2010: Opted out of contract

On June 29, 2010, Paul Pierce opted out of his contract and invoked his early termination clause to become an unrestricted free agent.

July 1, 2010: Became an unrestricted free agent

On July 1, 2010, Paul Pierce became an unrestricted free agent.

June 28, 2013: Trade deal reached with the Brooklyn Nets

On June 28, 2013, the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets reached a deal to trade Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry for future first-round picks in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 drafts and Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, Kris Joseph, MarShon Brooks, and Keith Bogans.

July 12, 2013: Completed trade to the Brooklyn Nets

On July 12, 2013, the trade of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry to the Brooklyn Nets was completed.

July 2013: Traded to the Brooklyn Nets

In July 2013, Paul Pierce was traded to the Brooklyn Nets along with Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry.

2013: Extension kept him in Boston through the 2013-14 season.

In 2010, Paul Pierce and the Celtics verbally agreed to a four-year extension keeping him in Boston through the 2013-14 season.

April 11, 2014: Pierce scores 25,000 career points

On April 11, 2014, Paul Pierce became the fourth active NBA player and the 18th player in NBA history to score 25,000 career points during a game against Atlanta.

July 17, 2014: Pierce signs with the Washington Wizards

On July 17, 2014, Paul Pierce signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Washington Wizards.

November 25, 2014: Pierce passes Jerry West on NBA scoring list

On November 25, 2014, Paul Pierce scored 14 points against the Atlanta Hawks, surpassing Jerry West for 17th place on the NBA's career scoring list.

2014: Signed with the Washington Wizards

In 2014, Paul Pierce signed with the Washington Wizards as a free agent.

2014: Traded for future first-round picks

On June 28, 2013, the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets reached a deal to trade Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry for future first-round picks in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 drafts.

January 14, 2015: Pierce passes Jason Kidd for fourth all-time in three-pointers made

On January 14, 2015, Paul Pierce passed Jason Kidd for fourth all-time in three-pointers made during a 105–99 win over the Chicago Bulls.

February 2, 2015: Pierce passes Alex English for 15th place on the NBA's career scoring list

On February 2, 2015, Paul Pierce passed Alex English for 15th place on the NBA's career scoring list with 11 points against the Charlotte Hornets.

May 9, 2015: Pierce makes game-winning shot against Atlanta Hawks

On May 9, 2015, Paul Pierce made a two-point shot at the buzzer to defeat the Atlanta Hawks 103–101, giving the Wizards a 2–1 series lead in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. He finished the game with 13 points and 7 rebounds.

June 27, 2015: Pierce opts out of contract with Wizards

On June 27, 2015, Paul Pierce opted out of the second year of his contract with the Washington Wizards to become a free agent.

July 10, 2015: Pierce signs with the Los Angeles Clippers

On July 10, 2015, Paul Pierce signed a three-year, $10 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

September 26, 2016: Pierce announces his final NBA season

On September 26, 2016, Paul Pierce announced that the 2016–17 season would be his last in the NBA.

2016: Traded for future first-round picks

On June 28, 2013, the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets reached a deal to trade Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry for future first-round picks in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 drafts.

February 5, 2017: Pierce's last game in Boston

On February 5, 2017, in what would be his last game in Boston, Paul Pierce started and played the first five minutes before heading to the bench. He hit a three-pointer with 19 seconds left, scoring his only points of the game.

April 10, 2017: Pierce scores 10 points in final minutes against Houston Rockets

On April 10, 2017, Paul Pierce scored all of his 10 points in the final five minutes of the Clippers' 125–96 win over the Houston Rockets. He subsequently moved into 15th on the NBA career scoring list with 26,397 points.

April 30, 2017: Pierce's NBA career ends with Game 7 loss to Utah Jazz

On April 30, 2017, Paul Pierce's 19-year NBA career ended at the final buzzer of Game 7 against the Utah Jazz, where he had six points and three rebounds in 21 minutes. The Clippers lost their first-round playoff series.

June 28, 2017: Clippers waive Pierce

On June 28, 2017, Paul Pierce was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers.

2017: Celtics also received the right to swap first-round picks in the 2017 draft

On June 28, 2013, as part of the trade deal the Celtics also received the right to swap first-round picks in the 2017 draft.

2018: Traded for future first-round picks

On June 28, 2013, the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets reached a deal to trade Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry for future first-round picks in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 drafts.