Celtics star Paul Pierce believes that the team will contend for a championship over the next handful of years.

"We put a team like this together knowing most championship contenders have like a five- or six-year window," Pierce told the Boston Globe. "This is our third year. Hopefully we have a few more years to compete but were trying to get it done now."

While it's conceivable that the Celtics could contend for a title for several more years, there are some question marks about the near future.

Ray Allen is entering the final year of his contract and has made it known that he's interested in an extension.

Trade rumors involving Rajon Rondo swirled this summer and Pierce said recently that he sees himself playing for another four seasons, the first indication he's given to life after basketball.