Al Horford was among the many first main free brokers to decide on to hitch the Boston Celtics when he signed a max contract with the staff in the summertime of 2016. He has spent a complete of seven seasons with the C’s, together with every of the final 4.
Horford has been instrumental in serving to the Celtics go from a contender within the Japanese Convention to NBA champion last season.
He turns 39 on Tuesday, and together with his contract quickly expiring, what does Horford’s future in Boston appear like? It is one of the vital fascinating questions to start the offseason.
His teammates very a lot need him to return again.
“You may’t change Al,” Celtics guard Payton Pritchard told reporters at a press conference May 17. “So, I undoubtedly hope we will get that discovered, as a result of simply his locker room presence alone is essential. After which having him on the courtroom, only for all of the younger guys to see how he goes about his enterprise how skilled he’s, he’s only a chief. We undoubtedly want him again.”
As Al Horford faces an unsure future in Boston, each Payton Pritchard and Luke Kornet had nothing however reward for him
As we continue our “Celtics Player Spotlight” series, let’s recap Horford’s 2024-25 season and analyze how he matches into Boston’s lineup for 2025-26:
2024-25 Season Recap
The Celtics have managed Horford’s minutes in current seasons, and that course of has largely labored, as a result of he is been fairly sturdy for an enormous man in his late 30s. Horford averaged 9.0 factors, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 blocks per recreation, whereas capturing 42.3 p.c from the sector and 36.3 p.c from 3-point vary this previous season. His 3-point proportion has decreased in every of the final two seasons, however he is nonetheless shooter.
Horford ended up enjoying in 60 common season video games, and he began in 9 of Boston’s 11 playoff matchups as Kristaps Porzingis battled a thriller sickness.
Horford additionally stays one-on-one defender who can guard a number of positions and supply a shot-blocking presence inside. His protection in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers in March was an important instance. Horford did an important job defending Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
Horford is not an All-Star participant anymore, however he is very a lot a starting-caliber and versatile large man.
Contract particulars
Horford’s two-year contract (with a $9.5 million wage cap hit, per Spotrac) is ready to run out, which is able to permit him to develop into an unrestricted free agent this summer season.
Potential roles for 2025-26
Situation 1: Horford re-signs with Celtics, stays backup heart
Horford is greatest suited coming off the bench at this stage of his profession. And if the Celtics have a wholesome Kristaps Porzingis on their roster going into subsequent season, it will make sense to have Horford be the primary heart off the bench.
Situation 2: Horford re-signs with Celtics, begins at heart
If Porzingis is traded within the offseason, Horford could be the best choice to start out at heart. On this state of affairs, it will be useful for the Celtics to signal a free-agent heart and/or re-sign Luke Kornet. The C’s can not afford to have Horford be their solely non-rookie heart who’s able to enjoying 20-plus minutes per recreation.
Horford truly performed a bit of higher offensively as a starter final season. He shot 37.2 p.c from 3-point vary in these minutes.
Situation 3: Horford departs as free agent
Any contending staff, particularly one which’s near a title however hasn’t received but, might use a veteran like Horford who can shoot 3-pointers, defend at a excessive stage and supply glorious management. Any staff determined for frontcourt depth could be smart to make a free agent pitch. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps recently made the case for the Knicks pursuing Horford in free company, noting that he’d be an “unbelievable match” for New York.
Nonetheless, the final time Horford left Boston as a free agent following a disappointing playoff run was 2019 when he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. It was a catastrophe, and the Sixers ended up buying and selling Horford after just one season.
Ultimate ideas
Horford continues to be an excellent participant. He is an above common 3-point shooter and a robust defender. His management is improbable, and his teammates and coaches love him. He’s, in some ways, the right veteran to have in your roster.
Along with Horford, veteran heart Luke Kornet can be in a position to develop into an unrestricted free agent this summer season. The Celtics ought to attempt to carry again no less than one in every of them, as a result of if they do not, their frontcourt depth will probably be fairly tough.
Bringing again Horford on a team-friendly contract could be the best-case state of affairs for the Celtics, who should work across the constraints of being a second-apron staff.
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