Paul Pierce calls the Clippers the next best choice after Lakers

Paul Pierce helped lead the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship in 2008, beating out the Lakers in the Finals.

Now the Inglewood High graduate is returning to Los Angeles, but he knows there’s only one NBA team here for him.

“It’s a dream come true to be able to come home, finally,� Pierce told the Boston Globe at the NBA Players Awards on Sunday. “I grew up a Laker fan but playing on all the Boston Celtic teams . . . there’s no way I could go there — so this was the next best choice. And it’s always been a dream to play in front of my family and friends.�

Pierce, a 10-time All-Star, agreed to a three-year, $10.5-million contract with the Clippers in July. The small forward has already made his presence known with the Clippers after he traveled to DeAndre Jordan’s home in Houston earlier this month to help convince the free agent center to re-sign with the team.

“I wasn’t there last year with that team, so I kind of sat in and voiced what I thought but I was on the outside looking in,� Pierce told the newspaper. “I think guys cleared the air if there was any tension, but I think a lot of the media made it more than it was.�

At the NBA Players Awards, Chris Paul told the Boston Globe that he’s excited to have Pierce on the team, praising his “championship pedigree� and anticipating that he will be a great “voice in the locker room.�