You might want to avert your eyes, Boston Celtics fans — especially those with bad hearts: Paul Pierce was almost a Celtic once more.

Former Celtics coach Doc Rivers was back at TD Garden Wednesday for a fundraising event for ABCD Hoops Dreams. Rivers, who now serves as head coach and president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Clippers, was asked about landing former Celtics legend Paul Pierce.

Pierce, of course, was traded from Boston to the Brooklyn Nets in the summer of 2013 before signing with the Washington Wizards and making some noise in the 2015 Eastern Conference playoffs. Pierce opted out of his contract this summer and returned to his hometown of Los Angeles, signing a three-year, $10 million deal to play for his old coach.

But it almost wasn’t to be. Rivers told reporters at the event that Pierce almost chose to return and play for the team that drafted him.

And here’s Doc talking about Pierce’s decision likely coming down to Boston or LA this year: pic.twitter.com/fW8b3MZ8wu — Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) September 2, 2015

It’s a heartbreaker for sure, but we don’t think anyone can blame Pierce for choosing playing for his old coach on a title contender in his hometown over returning to the rebuilding Celtics.

Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images