Paul Pierce is playing well for the Washington Wizards this season, but the veteran small forward is still open to returning to the Boston Celtics if given the chance.
Pierce, who signed a two-year deal worth $11 million with the Wizards last summer, said in an interview that leaving Boston was one of the most difficult decisions in his career.
The 37-year-old forward moved to the Brooklyn Nets last season because he wanted to continue playing alongside Kevin Garnett, but he admitted that he regretted his decision to leave the Celtics.
"It was a roller coaster, definitely. A lot of emotion went into it," Pierce told Sports Illustrated, referring to his lone season in Brooklyn. "Going through what we went through last year, I had a lot of thoughts like, 'Shoot, I could have just stayed in Boston.' [The Celtics] were going through some of the same things we were going through in Brooklyn."
Pierce, the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, spent the first 15 seasons of his NBA career with the Celtics where he won one championship ring. But when the Celtics decided to rebuild their core and go into a different direction, Pierce agreed to be traded to the Nets along with Garnett.
When asked if he is still open to returning to the Celtics, Pierce reiterated that he is willing to reunite with his former team - as a player, coach or team executive. The 17-year veteran said that he remains in contact with Celtics officials, and he actually visited the team's practice facility twice during the offseason.
Pierce, who is averaging 11.9 points and 5.0 rebounds with the Wizards this season, also added that he wanted to sign with Los Angeles Clippers to reunite with former Celtics coach Doc Rivers. The Oakland, California native talked to the Clippers last summer, but Pierce opted to wait for the Nets to make a move.
"It would have been an easier transition for me being with Doc, being at home," Pierce added. "I think I missed out on that opportunity by waiting to see what Brooklyn was going to do. When they eventually said they weren't going to make any moves, I missed that boat. That kind of upset me."
