Free agent Mark Blount knew he would return to Boston 10 days ago when general manager Chris Wallace and director of player personnel Leo Papile flew to Boca Raton, Fla., for a visit. All it took was dinner at Morton's Steakhouse to convince Blount he belonged with the Celtics, even if that meant signing a deal for less money than other teams were offering.

Yesterday, the Celtics re-signed Blount to a two-year deal worth approximately $2 million with a player option the second year. The 7-foot center received several offers starting at the $1.5 million exception, but he felt most comfortable remaining in Boston.

''Chris Wallace and Leo Papile took the time to come down and have dinner with me,'' said Blount. ''That sent the message that they really wanted me. After those guys came down and we had a great conversation over dinner, it was just a matter of getting it done.

''I could have gone somewhere else. But I just looked at what we were trying to do in Boston, what the overall picture was. That was more important than trying to go somewhere else in the NBA. I'm very comfortable with my situation. I looked at it and said, `Let's keep what we're doing here and keep moving forward.' ''

Boston wasted no time bringing back Blount, making the new deal official on the first day players were allowed to sign contracts. By signing Blount to a deal worth more than the veteran minimum, the Celtics showed they were willing to spend extra when they deemed it necessary. Although Boston could not match the offers being made by some of the other suitors, director of basketball operations Danny Ainge remained flexible in his dealing with Blount's agent, Mark Bartelstein.

''It was a tough decision because he had a number of people pursuing him,'' said Bartelstein. ''People really liked the way he played the second half of the season for the Celtics. But he felt like he was in the process of building something there. He felt he was making a lot of strides with the Celtics and with the coaching staff. He wanted to see it through and see where he could take it to. He's making basically an investment in himself and the Celtics. One that we really hope is going to pay off.''