Celtics president Danny Ainge stressed Wednesday morning that the team is still negotiating to keep Paul Pierce in Boston.

Pierce has decided to opt out of the final year of his contract, which would have paid him $21.5 million next season.

Ainge will be the first to talk with agent Jeff Schwartz on Thursday.

Pierce has a chance to earn as much as $96 million in a four-year deal with the Celtics, three million more than he could with another team.

Doc Rivers had decided to remain as head coach of the Celtics through at least the 10-11 season, a source close to him has confirmed.

Rivers was considering walking away from his position to spend more time with his family.

Rivers would have been more likely to leave the Celtics had the team begun a rebuilding phase.

The Celtics might be without starting center Kendrick Perkins for the start of the 2010-11 season.

Perkins said Tuesday night that he will undergo surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament next Wednesday.

He is taking some time before having the surgery in order to strength the knee in hopes of shortening his recovery time, which he projected at five to six months.

"I feel good, I've been here, trying to strengthen [the ACL] before I go into surgery," said Perkins. "I'm working with [team trainer] Ed [Lacerte] -- a lot of leg work and icing trying to get the swelling all the way down, a lot of treatment before I go in for surgery."

Paul Pierce has notified the Boston Celtics that he will opt out of the final year of his contract before Wednesday's deadline, according to sources.

Pierce has never been an unrestricted free agent in his career.

Pierce will forfeit next season's $21.5 million salary but becomes eligible to sign a new four-year deal with the Celtics worth a maximum of $96 million and can receive four-year offers from other teams worth a maximum $93 million.

Sources said that Pierce will begin free agency by talking first to the Celtics when the market opens on Thursday at 12:01 a.m., but he will also listen to outside offers.

Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has admitted that he has doubts about Paul Pierce's future with the team.

"I do have doubts," Ainge told WEEI in Boston. "I'm not certain what Paul will do. He may be able to get a long-term contract somewhere else."

Pierce has a $21.5 million option in his contract for the 2010-11 season.

The Celtics are expected to target Mike Miller in free agency.

Miller played for coach Doc Rivers earlier in his career.

The Celtics have their mid-level exception to use in free agency, which begins on Thursday at midnight.

Doc Rivers plans to make a decision this week on whether he will be back or join his family in Orlando. The Celtics are confident on Rivers returning for the 10-11 season.

Rivers has acted like a coach who plans to return. He participated in the Celtics? draft preparation, and he had been working with general manager Danny Ainge to prepare for the start of free agency on Thursday. He has also had conversations with prospective candidates to replace Tom Thibodeau on his coaching staff, but that hire is on hold.

Rivers had meetings planned with close associates this week to discuss his future.

The Celtics have targeted Brad Miller in free agency, according to sources.

Miller joins Ray Allen as the other top priority of Boston.

The Celtics have their midlevel exception available to sign the 34-year-old Miller.

Miller is expected to be pursued by other teams, but the Celtics have definite appeal.

Avery Bradley, the first-round pick of the Celtics, will have his ankle scoped and will not play on Boston's summer league team.

Bradley injured the ankle on June 13 while working out for the Thunder, which forced him to miss four workouts with other teams.

Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said the recovery should take about six weeks.

"As of right now, I'm just looking to get back and get ready so I can start training camp," Bradley said.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers hasn't made a decision on his future yet.

Boston drafted Texas guard Avery Bradley with the 19th pick on Thursday night.

"I don't know yet," Rivers said of his future. "If I'm coaching, I'll be coaching him. I can tell you that. But I just don't know yet."

Rivers expects to make a decision by early next week after he discusses things with his family in Florida.

"It's a tough one," Rivers said. "It really is, and it's a serious one either way. So let's just wait, and we'll figure it out soon."