Wizards reportedly offer Pierce a two year deal to stay in Washington

By all accounts, the Wizards are the frontrunners to retain Paul Pierce's services, but they're not resting on their laurels. Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports is reporting the Wizards are offering Pierce a $6.6 million deal with a team option for the 2016-17 season.

The $6.6 million figure comes from the Wizards being able to offer 120 percent of Pierce's salary after they signed him for $5.3 million last season. This is the Wizards' key advantage in their recruitment over the Clippers, who can't offer nearly the same compensation.

The team option is a bit surprising since previous reports have suggested the 2015-16 season would be Pierce's final campaign, but offer a second year as a team option is a harmless gesture that only helps foster good will. Considering Pierce wrestled with retiring after the 2014-15 season, odds are Pierce retires before the Wizards even consider exercising the option, but even if he does decide he wants to return for another year, the Wizards can decline if they think they're close to a deal with Kevin Durant or another max-level player. If Pierce returns and the Wizards decide to use their team option for the 2016-17 season, Pierce would make $6.9 million, according to Jorge Castillo.