At 39, Al Horford is one of the few NBA players who still has a good number of options regarding where he can play next.
The forward, a free agent, just finished his second multi-year contract with the Celtics. Multiple teams are interested in Horford, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who mentioned two Western Conference playoff teams as possible suitors.
“Everyone in the league values him,” Windhorst added. Retirement is just one of several alternatives available to him. However, the Golden State Warriors have made a concerted effort to sign him if he decides to prolong his career.
He would be a good fit anywhere, but the Lakers have also been involved because they clearly need a center. If he keeps playing, I think he’ll be out here on the west coach in Golden State or Los Angeles.
Since his May Celtics exit interview, Horford has not discussed his future in public. At the time, he stated that discussing his next course of action was premature. Numerous reports have connected Horford to other teams. Windhorst’s report did not list the Celtics as one of Horford’s top alternatives.
Brad Stevens, the president of basketball operations for the Celtics, recently stated that retaining Luke Kornet and Horford was a top priority. Kornet ultimately agreed to a four-year, $41 million contract with the Spurs. There are still rumors circulating about Horford’s next move.
Horford is probably nearing the end of his career, having joined the league in 2007. His window for a championship with the Celtics seems to be closed unless he intends to play past the age of forty.Due to his recovery from a torn achilles tendon, Jayson Tatum may miss a large amount of the upcoming season, if not all of it.
The Celtics are rethinking their roster right now. Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday have been traded off. Horford is still debating, and Kornet has moved on.
Boston is unlikely to spend a lot of money to retain Horford because they have been concentrating on cutting salaries this summer.
Horford has been a useful asset as he aged because of his ability to guard opposing stars and the way his 3-point shooting extends the floor.
Several teams are reportedly interested in taking a deeper look now that he is a free agent because they see that worth as well.
Boston.com’s Khari Thompson reports on professional sports. Khari worked as a college football reporter for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi, prior to joining the team in 2022.
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