Pierce to other NBA teams: "Shhhh. I'm only listening to Boston."

The Celtics are close to reaching an agreement with Pierce. Did anyone ever think he was going to leave? (ESPN)

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.

Pierce’s name has scarcely been mentioned in the buildup to the summer 2010 free-agent bonanza because, as with Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, most rival executives believe that the Celtics would never allow the 2008 NBA Finals MVP — who has maintained for some time that he wants to retire a Celtic — to leave the only team he’s ever known.

Now, can the Celtics please re-sign Ray too? Bring the crew all back, add a couple new pieces, and win the whole damn thing next year. I’m glad Phil Jackson’s coming back: I want to dethrone the Lakers at 100%.