Two stints, seven seasons, 465 games, and one championship later, Al Horford’s Boston Celtics career sounds like it’s just about over. The 18-year veteran has been heavily linked to the Golden State Warriors since his contract with the Celtics expired last week, but some have still been holding out hope that he’d return for an eighth season in Boston.
While there’s been no confirmation about what’s next for Horford, Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens all but confirmed that it’ll be something new.
“We made offers to both Luke [Kornet] and Al,” Stevens told the media Tuesday, via CLNS. “We would’ve loved to have had both of them back. I would say that’s unlikely. The only reason I haven’t talked about Al is because it’s not final. I could probably talk about Al for my whole press conference and not say enough. But, I don’t want to speak in absolute terms until an ultimate decision is made.”
That decision is reportedly between a few teams or retirement, according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe.
“A league source said Horford is taking his time while assessing offers from multiple teams but added that the 39-year-old is considering retirement, too,” he wrote Monday.
It makes sense for Al Horford to leave the Celtics
Horford’s pending decision to leave Boston makes sense. He’s 39 years old and likely only has one or two NBA seasons left. Sticking with a “gap year” Celtics team for one of them would be like charity. Even at his age, he’d be a helpful piece for the Warriors or Denver Nuggets, two teams hoping to compete in a loaded Western Conference next year.
Plus, it doesn't make sense from a Celtics perspective either. Why play Horford instead of trying to see what players like Neemias Queta and Luka Garza can offer with real playing time?
Of course, many Celtics fans may root for Horford to call it a career so they don’t have to see him suit up for another team. He’s not the All-Star caliber player he once was, but it’s clear that he’s still got plenty left in the tank.
Last season with Boston, Big Al averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and just under a block per game while shooting 36.3% from beyond the arc.
Those numbers do not scream “it’s time to retire” by any means.
At the same time, the old adage of “better a year early than a year late” resonates here. Sure, Horford could keep going, but if he isn’t quite himself in his next destination, then he may be remembered less fondly around the league.
Regardless, Stevens and the majority of Celtics fans will always appreciate Big Al.
“If he were to go and play somewhere else [he’s] an all-time Celtic and winner,” Stevens continued. “He did all he could for this organization. Not only from the games, but also how he impacted our younger players, who now, in a lot of ways, have to take what they’ve learned from the Jrue (Holiday)s and the Al and apply it to their own leadership roles.”