Pierce says he'll likely retire if Clippers win NBA title this season

Paul Pierce is probably speaking the truth.

The Los Angeles Clippers offseason addition told reporters at the team's media day Friday if they win a Larry O'Brien Trophy this year, he'll very likely call it a career.

"I don’t have much basketball left - whether it’ll be this year or another year. To come home and play in front of family and friends and possibly win a championship, it’s like a dream come true," Pierce said at Friday’s media day, as relayed by Dan Woike of the OC County Register. "If we win this year, win a championship, I’ll probably be done with basketball to be honest."

"It’ll be a dream to be home and carry that championship trophy down Manchester Boulevard."

L.A.'s signing of Pierce, who turns 38 next month, represents a homecoming for the 17-year NBA veteran, who grew up in the Los Angeles County city of Inglewood.

Pierce became an important veteran presence for the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets in each of the past two seasons, but neither team went beyond the second round of the playoffs. Along with other Clipper additions, Pierce's experience likely better positions the team to make a deeper run in the loaded Western Conference.

If the Clippers can claim the NBA title next June, it would also turn his clip-art summary of this summer's DeAndre Jordan saga - of which he was a key player - into the truth.