Paul Pierce signs a deal with the Celtics

The Boston Celtics signed Paul Pierce on Monday, July 17, but he won't be running the court with the 17-time champions in 2017-18. The Celtics and Pierce agreed to a one-day contract so that their former franchise star can retire a Celtic.

"It's an honor to have this opportunity to once again call myself a Boston Celtic," Pierce told the press on the honorary occasion. "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.”

Pierce announced he was hanging up his headband after playing two of the worst seasons of his career with the L.A. Clippers, but was none the less paid tribute to by former Boston teammates, in a late-April video published by The Players Tribune. The 10-time NBA All-Star had played the first 15 seasons of his professional career in Boston, where he eclipsed all other players in team history in three-point field goals (1,823), free throws (6,434) and steals (1,583), and trails only John Havlicek in points for the organization (24,021).

All in all the future Hall of Famer finished his career averaging 19.7 points per game, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, 1.31 with Boston, Brooklyn, Washington and the LA Clippers. But his career defining highlight came in 2008 when along with Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen they captured the franchise's first title in 22 years.

Source: twitter.com