Boston Celtics: Al Horford could have contract guaranteed this summer

A hot stretch could change the entire narrative of a season in the ever-changing landscape of the NBA. The Boston Celtics proved that firsthand by becoming buyers at the deadline courtesy of a winning January and blazing hot start to February.

Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens made moves with an eye on immediate contention and gave up their 2022 first-round pick and agreed to a pick swap six years from now in doing so.

Now, no one dare speak about breaking up the ‘Jays’ or trading away the value deal owned by Robert Williams.

And apparently, the idea of cutting Al Horford loose this summer is no longer one under strong consideration, as MassLive’s Brian Robb opined about in his latest Boston Celtics Mailbag:

"…keeping Horford and signing for someone less with the taxpayer mid-level might be the better team building play (than signing Patty Mills, Malik Monk, Kyle Anderson, or Danilo Gallinari). How this team fares in the final few months of this season will better direct the path on that front."

Horford is having far from his best year from a statistical standpoint, but there must be something about his presence that brings out the best in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Both players are defending at near-career-best levels on the less glamorous side of the floor and have both settled in nicely as co-alphas in the Cs offense.

The ‘Time Lord’ has also made meteoric strides in his game, showing the ability to put the ball on the floor and either find his man or finish in traffic.

It’d be a savvy move to consider guaranteeing Horford’s 2022-23 option if and only if the winning continues and this core proves it can capably contend during the postseason.

Otherwise, his salary is a tough one to move and a tough one to justify next season.