Report: C’s expect Pierce deal within a week

ESPN's Marc Stein reports:

The Boston
Celtics and captain Paul
Pierce's representatives opened talks on a new contract Thursday and
are making progress in negotiations, according to sources close to the
situation.

While Pierce has received introductory inquiries from
"a few" other teams, Boston is the only team he's currently engaged
with, sources told ESPN.com.

…..Multiple sources with knowledge of the team's thinking told ESPN.com on
Wednesday that the team believes it will secure a verbal agreement from
Pierce before July 8, which is the first day players and teams can
execute new contracts.

Doc's back, so Pierce will come back.  It's not THAT simple… but it's a huge reason.