Al Horford addresses uncertain future with Celtics after elimination to Knicks

BOSTON — Al Horford wasn’t prepared to speak concerning the future as he sat down on the Auerbach Heart podium, lower than 24 hours faraway from a blowout loss to the New York Knicks that prematurely ended the Celtics’ season.

“For me, it’s simply too quickly to speak about that stuff,” Horford mentioned of his looming free company. “I’ll take a while right here with my spouse, with my children. It’s not even been a day. There’s nonetheless rather a lot for me to course of, simply feeling all the things out from final evening. That was troublesome.”

This previous 12 months, Horford averaged 9 factors per sport on 42.3% capturing, together with 36.3% from three. His effectivity improved within the postseason, as he averaged 8 factors on 47.2% capturing, together with 40% from three.

And, although he was usually hunted defensively, he continued to carry up as one of many premier large man defenders within the league. As soon as once more, with a number of gamers within the Celtics’ rotation injured, he proved himself to be one of the crucial reliable and sturdy gamers on the roster, and in the end ended up beginning all however two postseason video games.

However, maybe much more vital than his on-court affect has been his regular presence within the locker room.

“You’ll be able to’t change Al,” mentioned Payton Pritchard. “So, I undoubtedly hope we get that discovered. As a result of his locker room presence alone is simply essential, after which having him on the courtroom. For all of the younger guys, simply to see how he goes about his enterprise, how skilled he’s. He’s only a chief.”

Horford was nominated for the NBA’s Teammate of the 12 months Award for the second consecutive season. He in the end didn’t win the award — however in his teammates’ eyes, it didn’t matter.

“Al’s about pretty much as good a teammate as I’ve ever seen,” Luke Kornet mentioned. “Truthfully, the very best one I’ve ever seen.”

If his teammates have something to do with it, the 38-year-old will probably be again in inexperienced subsequent 12 months

Sam Hauser mentioned that Horford was instrumental in shaping his growth as a younger participant on the Celtics. Now, as Hauser navigated his first season as a younger father, Horford has continued to function his blueprint.

“My first two years, I watched him from afar rather a lot,” he mentioned. “I don’t even know if he is aware of this, however I took numerous psychological notes about how he operated on a day-to-day foundation. He’s received 5 children at residence — he’s received to be actually environment friendly when he’s right here, however he’s at all times in early, getting his pr courtroom and getting his rehab in, getting his remedy in, getting his pictures up, doing no matter it takes to be ready on the courtroom, but in addition understanding that he’s received to be a father at residence too for 5 children. Now having a child — only one — it’s rather a lot.”

Horford, who signed a two-year, $20 million contract extension in 2022, is now a free agent. He beforehand maintained he wasn’t planning on retiring this season. However Jayson Tatum’s Achilles rupture threatens to maintain him out of all of subsequent 12 months, and it’s unsure whether or not Horford’s need to stay in Boston might be impacted by the franchise cornerstone’s harm.

The gamers who’re below contract desperately hope to get the possibility to run it again with their veteran chief.

“We undoubtedly want him again,” Pritchard mentioned.

Along with Horford, Kornet can also be a free agent this summer time. On high of that, it’s been extensively reported that the Celtics may make a sequence of trades to cut back subsequent 12 months’s historic payroll, which means that the statuses of different gamers on the roster is also unsure.

“It sucks,” Derrick White mentioned after the Sport 6 loss. “You’ll by no means get this season again. You’re by no means going to have the very same staff once more.”