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.