Brooklyn Nets didn't make Paul Pierce an offer, according to report

If you're like me, you were wondering how Paul Pierce came to D.C. for a price that the free-spending Brooklyn Nets could have easily paid themselves. The explanation: Brooklyn wants to get younger (and cheaper) and thus didn't even make him a competitive offer once it became clear he might leave.

Nets had the chance to re-sign Pierce and passed, according to league sources. Would have cost them upwards of $20 million in luxury taxes.

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) July 13, 2014

Sources say Nets passed on re-signing Pierce, opting to develop younger forwards like Karasev/ Bogdanovic instead of paying more to keep PP

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) July 13, 2014

Nets Daily adds more details:

The Nets reportedly were ready to offer Pierce between $6 million and $8 million while Pierce wanted between $9 million and $10 million. However, Billy King repeatedly emphasized that the Nets wanted to be "financially responsible" and others within the organization said that the level of spending last season could not be "sustained in the future," with the Nets liable for the repeater tax if they are over the tax threshold by the end of the 2014-15 season.

Brooklyn's change in direction is Washington's gain. Nevertheless, it's interesting to see how little Pierce was valued by the team he's leaving. We'll take it.