Add one more marquee name to the most anticipated free-agent class in NBA history: Paul Pierce.

The All-Star forward has notified the Boston Celtics that he will opt out of the final year of his contract before Wednesday's deadline, which will make Pierce an unrestricted free agent for the first time.

Pierce's agent, Jeff Schwartz, confirmed the decision in a text message to ESPN.com.

By opting out, Pierce forfeits next season's $21.5 million salary and adds another layer of uncertainty to Boston's general outlook in the wake of a wholly unexpected playoff run that took them to within one win of the championship.

Multiple sources close to the Celtics told ESPN.com's Andy Katz that the team expects to re-sign Pierce. According to the sources, the Celtics expect the Pierce deal to be wrapped up sooner than later but free agent Ray Allen could take longer into the summer. The Celtics also have to decide what to do with free agents/reserves Tony Allen, Nate Robinson, Shelden Williams, Marquis Daniels and Brian Scalabrine.

Pierce's name has scarcely been mentioned in the buildup to the summer 2010 free-agent bonanza because, as with Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki, most rival executives believe that the Celtics would never allow the 2008 NBA Finals MVP -- who has maintained for some time that he wants to retire a Celtic -- to leave the only team he's ever known.

Pierce, though, could wind up emerging as one of the more interesting big names to track. Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that Pierce will begin free agency by talking first to the Celtics when the market opens at 12:01 a.m. ET Thursday, but the 32-year-old is prepared to field other offers.