It seems that Horford is not going to be sporting a Celtics jersey subsequent season.
“I’d say that’s unlikely,” Brad Stevens stated in a press convention on Tuesday morning. Stevens opened his presser thanking Jrue Vacation, Kristaps Porzingis, and Luke Kornet for his or her contributions to the Celtics over the previous few seasons, now that every one three gamers have formally been launched for his or her new groups.
“The one cause I haven’t talked about Al is as a result of it’s not ultimate,” Stevens stated. “I may in all probability discuss Al my entire press convention and never say sufficient. However, I don’t wish to converse in absolute phrases till an final resolution is made.”
A number of reporters, together with Anthony Slater of The Athletic, have named Horford as a high goal for the Golden State Warriors. He’s additionally been linked with the Lakers and Nuggets. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has additionally reported that Horford has thought of retirement this offseason.
Stevens didn’t formally rule out Horford returning to Boston, however he closely implied that the door had closed, and took a second to debate the massive man’s affect in Boston.
“However one other man that, if he had been to go and play some other place, was an all-time Celtic. A winner, and did all the pieces he may for this group,” Stevens stated. “Not solely from the video games but in addition how he impacted our youthful gamers, who, in plenty of methods, now must take what they’ve discovered from the Jrues and the Als and folks like that and apply that from a management function.”
Horford first signed with the Celtics as a free agent in 2016, and rejoined by the use of commerce in June of 2021. He was a vital member of the Celtics’ championship staff, beginning practically each recreation within the postseason en path to the franchise’s 18th title. That season, he shot 51.1% from the sphere and 41.9% from three.
This previous season, Horford averaged 9 factors per recreation on 42.3% taking pictures, together with 36.3% from three. His effectivity improved within the postseason, as he averaged 8 factors on 47.2% taking pictures, together with 40% from three. He began in 42 of the 60 video games he appeared in final season.
Horford was beforehand non-committal about his future in Boston
The day after the Celtics had been eradicated by the Knicks within the playoffs, Horford forged doubt on his future.
“For me, it’s simply too quickly to speak about that stuff,” Horford stated of his looming free company. “I’ll take a while right here with my spouse, with my youngsters. It’s not even been a day. There’s nonetheless quite a bit for me to course of, simply feeling all the pieces out from final evening. That was troublesome.”
Nonetheless, there was hope that Horford would stay on the Celtics even when the staff wasn’t within the combine to win a title. Groups lobbied for his return of their ultimate media availabilities, with Sam Hauser deeming Horford among the finest teammates he’s ever had “at any degree.”
“You’ll be able to’t change Al,” stated Payton Pritchard final month. “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 court docket. For all of the younger guys, simply to see how he goes about his enterprise, how skilled he’s. He’s only a chief.”
Now, Horford’s chapter with the group seems to have come to a detailed.
