The Boston Celtics should look to bring back Al Horford as their Nikola Vucevic replacement. Marc Stein reported Vucevic is done with the Celtics (subscription required). Boston would love to add a stretch five, but the options are limited. That is why they should be targeting Horford for a third stint in Boston.
Horford left the Celtics last summer and was looking for a new challenge. He signed a two-year contract with the Warriors and has a $5.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season. Horford holds the cards. Golden State wants him back, but the Celtics could pry him away by offering part of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
This makes too much sense. Horford’s minutes were down in Golden State, but his per-36 production was up. The 6’8 big man can still space the floor, make plays, rebound, and protect the rim. Horford is comfortable in Joe Mazzulla’s system. All Boston has to do is convince the 40-year-old to finish his career with the Celtics.
Al Horford makes too much as Celtics’ Nikola Vucevic replacement
Vucevic didn’t fit, so the Celtics had to move on. He struggled to score and space the floor. Vooch has created defensive problems for years, so declining in other areas made him virtually unplayable. Mazzulla even benched him in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series against the 76ers with Jayson Tatum out.
Horford averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 21.5 minutes per game this season. His numbers went up further as he got healthy late in the season. Horford shot 36.1 percent on his 3-point attempts. Boston can’t expect him to play 30-plus minutes every night, but they know the big man is a difference-maker.
Horford shows up when the lights are brightest. He was the primary playoff starter on the 2024 title team. The big man shot 40 percent from 3-point range in the 2025 playoffs and nailed four massive threes to help the Warriors defeat the Clippers in the Play-In Tournament this year. The 40-year-old is declining, but he can still be an impactful rotation piece on a contender.
Boston has Neemias Queta and Luka Garza to split minutes at the five. Brad Stevens will shake up the roster this offseason. The Celtics should be looking for a complement to Queta that can space the floor and protect the rim. Horford checks those boxes and has already earned Mazzulla’s trust.
The Celtics have team options on six players before the madness begins. The decisions will likely come down to what other business Stevens can get done. Their disappointing first-round playoff exit revealed Boston needs more depth, playmaking, defense, and shooting. This wouldn’t be the first time they relied on Horford for those.
The Boston Celtics should look to bring back Al Horford to replace Nikola Vucevic if he declines his $5.9 million player option with the Golden State Warriors. The Cs could offer him more money, a chance to finish his career with the franchise he’s spent seven seasons playing for, and a shot to chase a championship. Horford returned in 2021, and fans should hope he repeats the feat in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on Google