Al Horford is "thrilled" to be back in Boston and never really wanted to leave.  Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Al Horford 'never really wanted to leave' Celtics as free agent in 2019?

Al Horford finds himself back with the Celtics after being traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Kemba Walker, and it seems like he's pretty excited to be back in Boston. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said on a recent episode of "The Woj Pod" that Horford is "thrilled" to be back in Boston and never really wanted to leave. 

"Horford is certainly thrilled with being back in Boston," Wojnarowski said, as transcribed by NESN's Alexandra Francisco. "He never really wanted to leave, but financially it made sense for him to go do that deal with the Sixers."

Horford left the Celtics and signed a four-year, $109 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers in June 2019. Considering the C's didn't offer him a similar deal, it's no surprise he left. However, his stint with the Sixers ultimately failed, and they traded him to the Thunder. 

Horford shared his excitement about rejoining the Celtics in a recent Instagram post, adding that he has "unfinished business" in Boston, presumably meaning he wants to bring a championship to the city. 

The 35-year-old averaged 13.5 points, seven rebounds and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 49.8% from the field and 38.2% from deep with the Celtics from 2016-19. Boston will be hoping he can put up similar numbers during the 2021-22 campaign. 

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